S LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. J 

# ., 4 

#|iw .^- :. loisrisM |o I 

# . 

{ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. | 



THE 

COUNTRYMAN'S EXPERIENCE. 

FARRIERY & SURGERY. 

EMBRACING 

A THIRTY YEARS EXPERIENCE OF THE AUTHOR BOTH IN 
THEORY AND PRACTICE, TOGETHER WITH THE EX- 
PERIENCE OF NOTED GERMAN AND INDIAN 
DOCTORS; WITH A COMPLETE PATHOLOGY 
OF ALL DISEASES TO WHICH THE 

Horse, Cow, Sheep & Swine 

ARE SUBJECT, WITH A FORMULA OF INSTRUCTIONS AND 
MODE OF TREATMENT. 

ALSO 

A PRACTICAL THEORY OF THE GOVERNMENT AND MAN- 
AGEMENT OF THE 

HOUSE 

UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. 
BY 

ISAAC BOWERSMITH, 

PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY SURGERY ETC 



PRINTED AT THE BaNNER OfFICE, WeSTERVILLK, 0. 

1872. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, 

Bv ISAAC BOWERSMITF, 

In the Offic* of the Librarian of Coogrese, at VV'AHhington, D. C, 



«^^ 






PREFACE. 




THE HORSE. 



Under this first division will be considered those 
animals which aid the powers of man. It natural- 
ly begins with considering the Animals which con- 
stitute the most valuable part of the farmer's prop- 
erty; their origin (fee. 

It is hoped that this volume will contribute to 
the amusement, and the profit of the farmer and 
better the condition both of himself and of the 
animals entrusted to his care. 

They may afford him a useful counsellor, when 



employed in the labours of his station, and raise 
his mind to a serious, but delightful contemplation 
of the objects which Providence has spread around 
us for our admiration and profit. 

In the Sacred Volume, which, beside its higher 
claims to stand at the head of the Farmer's Libra- 
ry, contains the oldest authentic record of past 
transactions, we are told that, so early as 1650 
years before the birth of Christ, the horse had been 
domesticated by the Egyptians. When Joseph car- 
ried his father's remains from Egypt to Canaan, 
''there went up with him both chariots and horses." 
One hundred and fift}^ years afterwards, the 
horse constituted the principal strength of the 
Egyptian army. Pharaoh pursued the Israelites 
with "six hundred chosen chariots, and with all 
the chariots of Egypt." 

From the records of the Old Testament, we are 
likewise enabled to ascertain the precise period of 
time, when in Egypt and Canaan, and the neigh- 
bouring countries, this minimal began to be domes- 
ticated. 1920 years before the birth of Christ, 
when Abraham, having left Haran, in obedience to 
the divine command, was driven into Egypt by 
the famine which raged in Canaan,(Gen. 12. 16.) 
Pharaoh offered him sheep and oxen, and asses 
and camels. Horses would doubtless have been 
added had they been subdued in Egypt. 

When, fifty years afterwards, Abraham journeyed 
to Mount Moriah, to offer up his only son, he rode 
an ass, which, with all his wealth and power, he 
would scarcely have done, had the horse been 
known.(22. 3.) 

Thirty years later, when Jacob returned to Isaac 
with Rachel and Leah, an account is given of the 



s 

number of oxen, sheep, camels, goats, and asses, 
which he sent to appease the anger of Esau, but 
not one horse is mentioned. (Gen. 32. 14.) 

It is not until twenty -four years after this, when 
the famine devastated Canaan, (Gen. 14. 19.) and 
Jacob sent into Egypt to buy corn, that horses are 
first heard of. "Wagons" probably carriages 
drawn by horses, were sent by Joseph into Canaan 
to bring his father into Egypt. It would seem, 
however, that horses had been but lately introdu- 
ced, and were not numerous, or not used as beasts 
of burden ; for the whole of the corn, which was to 
be conveyed some hundred miles, and was to afford 
subsistence for Jacob's large household, was car- 
ried on asses. 

It appears, then, that about 1740 years before 
Christ, horses were first used in Egypt; but they 
soon afterwards became so numerous as to form a 
considerable portion of the Egyptian army: and 
when the Israelites returned to Canaan, the horse 
had been introduced and naturalized there; for the 
Canaanites " went out to fight against Israel with 
horses and chariots very many." (Joshua 11. 4.) 

The sacred volume, therefore, clears up a point 
upon which no other record throws any light — 
namely, the period when the horse first beca:me the 
servant of man, at least in one part of the world, 
and that the most advanced in civilization, and be- 
fore Greece was peopled- A long time must have 
elapsed before man was able to ascertain the value 
and peculiar use of the animals that surrounded 
him. He would begin with the more subordinate 
— those which were most easily caught, and most 
readily subdued; and the benefits which he derived 
from their labours would induce him to attempt 



4 

the conquest of superior quadrupeds. In accor- 
dance with this the writings of Moses shew us 
that, after the ox, the sheep, and the goat, man 
subdued the ass, and then the camel, and. last of 
all, the horse became his servant: and no sooner 
was he subdued, and his strength and docility and 
sagacity appreciated, than the others were com- 
paratively disregarded, except in Palestine, where 
the use of the horse was forbidden by divine au- 
thority, and on extensive and barren deserts, where 
he could not live. 

From Egypt the use of the horse was propaga- 
ted to other and distant lands; and, probably, the 
horse himself was first transmitted from Egypt to 
several countries. The Greeks atlirm, that Nep- 
tune struck the earth with his trident, and a horse 
appeared. The truth is, that the Thessalians, the 
first and most expert of the Grecian horsemen, 
and likewise the inhabitants of Argos and Athens, 
were colonists from Egypt. 

The Bible likewise decides another point, that 
Arabia, by whose breed of horses those of other 
countries have been so much improved, was not 
the native place of the horse. Six hundred years 
after the time just refered to, Arabia had no horses. 

Solomon imported spices, gold, and silver, from 
Arabia; but all the horses for his own cavalry and 
chariots, and those with which he supplied the 
Phoenician monarchs, he procured from Egypt. 

In the seventh century after Christ, when Ma- 
homet attacked the Koreish near Mecca, he had 
but two horses in his whole army; and at the close 
his murderous campaign, although he drove off 
twenty-four thousand camels, and forty thousand 
sheep, and carried away forty thousand ounces of 



silver, not a horse appears in the list of plunder. 

There is a curious record of the commerce of 
different countries at the close of the second cen- 
tury. Among the articles exported from Egypt to 
Arabia, and particularh^ as presents to reigning 
monarchs, were horses. 

In the fourth century two hundred Cappadocian 
horses were sent by the Roman emperor as the 
most acceptable present he could offer a powerful 
prince of Arabia. 

So late as the seventh century, the Arabs had 
few horses, and those of little value. These cir- 
cumstances sufficiently prove that, however supe- 
rior may be the present breed, it is comparatively 
lately that the horse was naturalized in Arabia. 

The horses of Arabia itself, and of the south 
eastern parts of Europe, are clearly derived from 
Egypt; but whether they were there bred, or im- 
ported from the south-western regions of Asia, or, 
as is more probable, brought from the interior, or 
northern coasts of Africa, cannot with certainty 
be determined. 



CHAPTER 1. 
PATHOLOGY. 

A general Pathology of acute diseases is made 
the special object of this work. 

The Horse is more like man, in regard to gener- 
al structure, and the pathology of his diseases, than 
any other animal. 

As a rule, although not without some exceptions, 
the causes which produce disease in man, operate 
similarl}^ upon the Horse, having the same effect 
upon the one, as upon the other; and the same rem- 
edies may be used for both with equal success and 
effect. 

In the long train of maladies to which the Horse 
is subject. Fever, or acute action, occurs in nine 
tenths ot all the cases: and it is equally true; that 
in all diseases of acute character, fever is present as 
a primary,or as an attendant condition. 
These causes are ever present and active in an attack 
of acute diseases, and to which it may be wholly 
attributed; viz: 

First, a derangement of the sensorial or nervous 
system. Second, a derangement ot the circulatory 
System — Blood. Third, a derangement of the se- 
cretory and excretory functions — fluids. 

THE DIRECT 

morbid causes of Acute diseases in the Horse are 
referable to four classes, namely : 

1. The application of cold to the surface of the 
Dody, and to the lungs, producing recrementiceous 



8i THE HOKSE. 

action, or a return of perspiratory matter from the 
surface to internal organs, leaving the vessels of 
the surface in a closed or spasmodic condition : this 
is by far the most common cause of Acute disease. 

2. Irritating substances generate within the body 
of the horse, wholly independent of any organic ac- 
tion : this class of causes is usually generated in 
the passages, and consists of worms, acids, mucus, 
and other irritating substances, resulting from un- 
wholsome feed, creating suppressed bile, by fermen- 
ting or by some putrefactive process. 
3. Slorbitic agents generated out of the animal body, 
consisting either of deleterious floatings in the air, 
or of the sensible properties of the atmosphere, or, 
finally of the mechanical causes, namely : miasma, 
noxious gasses, heat, cold, electricity, humidity, 
and mechanical injuries. 

4. Those which are generated by morbid organ- 
ic action of the living system, constituting the va- 
rious contagions; such as glanders, distemper, etc. 

The principal causes embraced in the last two 
heads are so extensive in their influence on the 
horse, and so indispensable to be understood; that 
a thorough investigation should be given them. 

The different diseases are fully furnished with 
the proper facts as they severally occur, in the after 
pages of this book, it being too tedious for the pres- 
ent subject. 

The inflammatory diseases of the horse are nu- 
merous, but his fevers are few : a febrile state being 
generally brought on by the inflammation of some 
important organ. Inflammation may be considered 
as general or diffused, and local or confined, and 
both seem to arise from an affection of the blood 
vessels, and perhaps from a peculiar state of the 



PATHOLOGY. * 9 

blood itselfc 

General or diffused mjlarnmation constitutes fever 
or extensive inflammatory affection, and appears to 
consist in an increased action of the heart and ar- 
teries, accompanied with an increase of heat. In 
some instances where the fever is purely sympto- 
matic, and dependent on the inflammation of some 
important organ, as the lungs, or the intestines, the 
circulation appears retarded rather than increased, 
from interruption arising to its passage through 
the heart. 

Local or confined inflammation is also dependent 
on an affection of the blood vessels, but confined 
principally to the blood vessels of the part affected. 

It is betokened by redness of the skin, tumor ogr 
swelling, heat and tenderness, with pain. Inflam- 
mations, both diffused and local, are brought on by 
excitements, such as over feeding, excessive heat, 
reaction produced after cold, and the reaction pro- 
duced by inordinate exertion. 

Those more exterior, arising from injuries, the 
application of improper substances, &c. Inflamma- 
tions terminate in various ways; but it is to be re- 
marked, that in consequence of the very large cir- 
culatory system of the horse, his febrile affections 
rage higher, and terminate sooner than in man. 

The usual termination of inflammatory affection 
in the horse, are by resolution, effusion, suppura- 
tion, and gangrene. 



10 THE ETJE. 



R^-:- 




CHAPTER II. 
Bowersmith's Receipes and Formula 
For the Cure and Treatment of 
DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



A knowledge of the anatomy of the eye, which is 
rarely understood by the uninitiated, would take 
too much space in this small volume to write on in 
detail. I will therefore be brief, giving on the sub- 
ject what may be more readily understood by the 
general reader, reserving further observation on 
the subject to be given in this book. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. 

In the first stages of the disease, apply a Wash 
or Lotion, according to the season of the year. 
If the eye or eye-lid is much inflamed, bleed in the 



THE KTK. 11 

vein below the eye, and rowel about three inches 
below the e^^e. Move the rowels every day ; let 
them remain ten or twelve days, ajjply the Wash 
or Lotion every day until cured. It is, also, best 
to use some of the Cleansing Powder every day. 

The horse should be kept on low diet, and not 
over-heated or worked very hard. Bran mash is 
the b^st to feed; do not feed corn. If there is a 
white speck in the centre of the sight of the eye, 
seemingly deep seated, there is no help, as the nerve 
is affected; but if the eye-lid swells, or the eye runs 
water, there is a good chance to cure, with atten- 
tion. If there is a film over the sight, take 2 grs. 
of Sugar of Lead, 4 grains Chloride of Lime, one 
drachm Tincture of Opium, 2 ozs. soft w^ater, and 
apply every day. 

EYE WASH FOR COLD WEATHER. 

Linseed Oil 1 pint. Spirits of Ether 2 ozs.. Gum 
Camphor ^ oz. Mix and let it stand in some warm 
place until the oil cuts the gum, then it is fit for use. 
Apply every morning with a vial. 

EYE WASH FOR WARM WEATHER. 

Sugar of Lead 2 drachms. Sulphate of Zinc 1 dr. 
Tincture of Opium ^ oz., 1 pint of soft water. 
Wash the eyes out well with cold water, and then 
apply the medicine every day, as directed above. 

INDIAN EYE WATER. 

Take a small handful of what is called Eye bright, 
several sage leaves, several privy leaves, and steep 



12 THE HORSE. 

them in a bowl of clean soft water; cover the bowl 
and set it in a large kettle of water: let it boil 30 
minutes, settle, take it off and add 2 chargers of 
gun powder; stirring well, then strain, settle and 
bottle for use. This is one of the best vegetable 
Eye waters ever made for any and all sorts of sore 
eyes. You can weaken it by adding soft water as 
the case requires. 

TO MAKE AN EYE WASH FOR 
MAN OR HORSE. 

By subsequent experiments, I have found the fol- 
lowing remedy to work well with either man or 
beast. 

Take three hen eggs and break in a clean white 
bowl, beat well, and add one quart of pure rain wa- 
ter. PUice it in a kettle of water and let it sim- 
mer over a slow fire, stirring frequently until it 
comes to a boil. Then take off and add ^ oz. sul- 
phate of zinc, ^ oz. tincture of opium, mix well and 
strain through a fine cloth three times. Let it 
stand in the same vessel in a cool place for two 
days, when a curd will be formed, which will be 
found to be an excellent poultice for inflamed eyes, 
strengthening the lachrymal ducts and vision. 

After the curd is removed, strain the liquid a- 
gain and bottle for future use. It can be applied 
by dropping into the eye from two to three times a 
day after the e^'es have been washed in cold water. 

BLIND OR WOLF TEETH. 

Blind or Wolf teeth. If such is the case, these 
teeth may be discovered, the former by rubbing 



THE EYE. 13 

your thumb over the gum of the upper jaw, between 
the molar grinder and the tusk; it never comes 
through, but its presence is indicated by an unu- 
sual lump. When such is the case, throw the ani- 
mal as directed on a former page, and with a sharp 
knife, make two deep incisions crosswise over the 
tooth, and with a forceps take firm hold of the tooth 
and extract it, if posible without breaking. 

Wolf teeth are found immediate^ below the mo- 
lar grinder, and should be removed in the same 
manner as Blind teeth. 

These teeth effect the sight by their fangs exten- 
ding over the lachrymal gland or duct, leading from 
the eye into the nostril, thus obstructing the usual 
discharges through its natural passage, causing in- 
flammation of the duct, and a film to cover the sight. 

After the teeth are removed, in either case a cure 
can be had by the use of the Eye Lotion and a dose 
or two of the Cleansing Powder. 

CATAEEH OF THE LACHEYMAL, OE 
POLYPUS IN THE NOSE 

This disease is caused by an increased secretion 
of the mucus in the lachrj mals, which should flow 
in watery substances from the eye, and pass off 
through the ducts into the nostrils, but instead, it 
runs down on the outside under the eye. It is in 
fact, if neglected, as likely to lead to total blind- 
ness as the Moon E^^e. Its presence may be ascer- 
tained by the eye lashes and hair on the side of the 
head falling off*. Its attacks are usuall}^ in both 
eyes at the same time, and causes much fever. 

The horse should not be fed corn or other grain, 
but put on pasture. The best treatment for this 



14 THE HORSE. 

disease is to bathe the eyes frequently in cold wa- 
ter, cause counter-irritation, as directed in the pre- 
ceeding article, and use freely the Cleansing Pow- 
der and Eye Lotion for at least two weeks, or un- 
til a cure is seen to be effected. 

The polypus is an enlargement about two inches 
above the nostril, and frequently the size of a hens 
egg, which is a cyst or sack being filled with water, 
or thick fluid; this secretion on the lachrymal, in- 
flames the eye. I have cured hundreds of cases by 
slitting the sack open and syringing it nearly full 
of corrosive linament; first putting on a twitch and 
slitting it open at the lower end; so that the con- 
tents can run out freely. 

MOON EYES. 

Which are known to Scientific practitioners as 
Specific periodic opthaima is a disease more to be 
dreaded than an^^ other, to which the eye may be 
subject. 

The sclerotic or outer white coat of the eye wears 
a deep seated, red appearance over the entire cornea. 
This may be attributed to a morbid condition of the 
Blood, which effects more or less, all the weaker 
members of the Horse, which if neglected will lead 
to total blindness. 

The best treatment for this disease is to cleanse 
the blood thoroughly, get up counter irritation, by 
bathing under the throat with the corrosive lini- 
ment; and use freel}' of the Cleansing powders. 



DISEASE OF THE TENDOX. 15 



FISTULA. 

A large tendon being connected with muscles, 
and ligaments is situated upon the top of the shoul- 
ders, immediately under the upper part of the 
shoulder blade, where it acts as a sort of a pad for 
the bone to rest upon, and thus prevents the fric- 
tion of pressure against the ribs. The scientific 
name for it, is the serrates major; but it is better 
known as the tough "leather or whitleather :" This 
ligament reaches over and across the back, and by 
a cartilaginous substance, is joined to the points on 
the yertibra or back-bone. 

There are a great many causes which produce 
Fistula, among which are a fevered and morbid 
condition of the blood, in connection with many 
other mechanical causes, which to enumerate would 
be of no practical advantage to the reader, as the 
management of the different diseases is our main 
object, and our especial desire. 

The reader can acquaint himself with the treat- 
ment and management of this loathsome disease, 
by reading with care and attention, the following 
recipes. 

FISTULA 
OR Poll Evil, before it breaks. 

Examine the affected parts carefully with 3'our 
hand; if you think no matter has accumulated, 
make a cloth sack laro'e enouo'h to cover the en- 
largement; fill it with coarse salt, moisten the out- 
side of it thoroughly with Corrosive Liniment: ap- 
ply the sack thus prepared to the enlargement for 



16 THE HORSE. 

two or three nights. If there is no matter, the en- 
largement will disappear rapidly under the action 
of the poultice. If there is matter present, the 
sooner it is lanced the better, and the same treat- 
ment may then be used, as would be required had 
it broke and discharged without assistance. 

In connection with the above treatment, I give 
a secondary one, which in my practice I have used 
with marked success in several difficult and doubt- 
ful cases; effecting cures, where help seemed im- 
posible. 

When the disease first manifests itself, and 
swelling is perceptible, apply the Corrosive Lini- 
ment once a day for three or four days, after clean- 
sing thoroughly with castile soap and soft tepid 
water: then use freely of the German Ointment; 
after it has maturated and suppuration has set in, 
run a seton from the top to the bottom ; which can 
be readily done by the assistance of a long seton 
needle; wet the seton every other day, with the fol- 
lowing Liniment: which can be easil}^ prepared; — 

Mandrake Root 2 lbs.; boil slow for 30 minutes; 
strain; then simmer slow until quite thick; then 
add 1 oz. Corrosive Sublimate, ^ oz. of Balladonna; 
shake freely before using. This application to be 
used until the pipes are all destroyed and have 
sloughed ofi:*and pure blood is seen to run freely; 
then the rowel may be removed, the parts well 
cleaned with Castile soap and soft water; when 
with the German Ointment freely applied, the dis- 
eased parts will be readily healed. During the 
first stages of the disease a free use of the Clean- 
sing powders should be made, to regulate the mor- 
bid action of the blood. 



CHAPTER III. 

GLANDERS. 

The next and the most formidable of all the dis- 
eases, to which the horse is subject, is Glanders. 

It was described by writers fifteen hundred years 
ago. It was then and now is a loathsome and con- 
tagious disease. The most expert Pathologists state 
that there are about twenty seven different forms 
in which this disease is said to manifest itself. It 
has ever been considered to originate from impure 
blood. A derangement of the Circulatory System ; 
namely, the blood. The foul and morbid matter 
absorbed by the various tissues, and taken into the 
blood is absorbed therefrom, by the secretive pow- 
ers of the liver, and converted into bile, which is 
conveyed into the duodenum or upper portion of 
the small intestines, where it unites with chyme, 
(or partially digested food) completes digestion 
and separates the mass into refuse matter to be 
conveyed away by the intestines; and the chyle, a 
milky substance which is taken up from the intes- 
tines by the lacteals and carried into the blood, in 
which it circulates and is carried to every part of 
the system, furnishing those elements necessary 
to sustain a healthy growth of the different parts 
of the animal. No matter what the external, in- 
ternal or exciting cause may be, the real direct 
cause of a large proportion of all acute, and chron- 
ic or lingering diseases, are the fruits of bad blood. 

The multifarious forms in which diseases mani- 
fest themselves, would afford a theme upon which 



18 THE HORSK. 

I might write volumes; but as all tlie varied forms 
of disease which depend upon bad blood are cured, 
or best treated by such medicines as take up from 
this fluid, and excrete from the system, the nox- 
ious elements, it is not of practical importance that 
I should describe each minutely: but as all blood 
diseases require for their cure a similar treatment, 
it is of no practical utility to know just what name 
to apply to any certain form of diseases, so you 
know best how to cure it which we will give in the 
present work. 

No disease will run into Glanders which has not 
to a considerable degree impaired the blood and 
broken down the constitution; and every disease 
that does this will run on to glanders. It is proper 
to state, that the left nostril is the one usually af- 
fected with the disease, or even by ulceration of 
the nostril for two or three years, when ulcers on 
the membrane of the nose, have appeared, the con- 
stitution will be evidently affected. The horse 
will loose flesh; his belly will be tucked up; his 
coat will be unthrifty and readily slough off; a 
slight cough will be heard; the appetite will be im- 
paired; the strength w^ill fail; the discharge from 
the nose will grow more perulent, discolored, 
bloody, stinking; the ulcers in the nose will be lar- 
ger and more numerous; and the air passages being 
obstructed, a grating, choking noise will be heard 
at every act of breathing. The lungs are now dis- 
eased; they are filled with tubercles or ulcerations, 
and the horse dies an emanciated and loathsome 
object. 



GLANDERS. 19 

CATARRH OR COLD. 

Catarrh or cold is many times mistaken by the 
inexperienced, and called glanders. An acute ac- 
tion with fever accompanies cold and loss of appe- 
tite and sore throat, (causing quidding of the food, 
and gulping of the water are sufficient indications 
of the latter,) the discharge from the nose is pro- 
fuse, and perhaps purulent: and the glands under 
the Jaw, if swelled are moveable ; and there is a 
thickening around them; and the}^ are tender and 
hot. With proper treatment the fever abates; 
the cough disappears ; the swellings under the 
throat subsides; and the discharge from the nose 
gradually ceases, or if it remains it is usually very 
difi'erent from that which characterizes glanders. 

AN INDIAN CURE FOR GLANDERS. 

1 qt. of cider vinegar; 4 oz. honey; 2 oz. golden 
seal; 1 oz. Elecampane; and a piece of rock alum 
the size of a hens egg', all pulverized and stewed 
15 minutes; take oif and add ^ pint lard. Give 
your horse 4 spoonsfull in each nostril with a little 
horn, once a day for three days, holding the horses 
head in such a position, that the contents will pass 
into the stomach. I have proven this to be good 
in cases of Strangles, Catarrh, Nasal gleet, and dis- 
temper. All diseases of the glands are best treat- 
ed and cured by Alteratives, or such medicines as 
purify the blood, illiminates the morbid matter 
from the system, and carrj^ off the disease. 



20 THE HORSE. 

A GOOD ALTEEATIYE. 

4 oz. of Jimson seed pulverized ; 4 oz. oak bark 
powdered; mix these powders with as much vin- 
egar and flour as will make a stifl' dough; work 
them well and give one the size of a walnut each 
day greased so it will slip down with ease. 

A GERMAN CURE FOR GLANDERS, DISTEMPER, 
SORE THROAT, STRANGLES, SURFEIT, HIDE 



Take annis seed, cummin seed, fenigreek seed, 
fine powder of elecompane roots; of each 2 oz. add 
2 oz. of brown sugar; 2 oz. flour brimstone; 1 oz. 
licorice ball; dissolve it on the fire in -^ pint of 
white wine; when done take 1 oz. of oil of an- 
nis, and 3 oz. colts foot, then take lard, oil, pure 
honey, sugar, molasses, of each half a pint; mix 
the above in wheat flour, using enough to make a 
stiff" dough ; place it in a hogs bladder and tie tight 
and put it in a Jelly pot. They will last a year. 

The manner of useing is this; make them into 
balls, the size of a walnut; as you desire to use 
them; grease well and give one each day. 

Strangles are peculiar to young horses. The 
earl}' stages resemble common colds, with some 
degree of fever and sore throat, generally with dis- 
tressing cough, or at least frequent wheezing; and 
when an enlargement appears beneath the jaws, it 
is not a single small gland; but a swelling of the 
whole of the substance between the jaws, growing 
harder towards the middle, and after a while ap- 
pearing to contain a fluid which breaks, and infla- 
mes the membrane of the nose, until the same be- 



COLIC. 21 

come iiitensel}^ red. The discharges from the nose 
are purulent or mixed with matter, ahnost from 
the first; and when the tumor has bursted; the fe- 
ver will abate and the horse will speedily recover. 

TREATMENT FOR STAGGERS. 

Poultice the throat well with a draught made of 
flax seed meal and sprinkle well with ground mus- 
tard. The nostrils should be well steamed with a 
decoction made of vinegar, tobacco and mustard, 
boiled in a quart of oats; and put in a sack and 
tied to the horses head-stall. Renew your poul- 
tice till the swelling becomes soft; then lance; be 
careful to feed boiled oats or bran; adding a suf- 
ficient quantit}^ of Cleansing Powder to regulate 
the System. 

COLIC. 

Colic, in general,is a severe pain in the bowels, 
of which there are several varieties ; as, Spasmodic 
Colic, Flatulent Colic, Billions Colic, and many 
others. The two first of which are the most prev- 
alent among horses. They therefore demand our 
special attention. To be able to treat either of 
which successfully, one must needs be thoroughly 
acquainted with its causes, symptoms, and reme- 
dies. We take up the subject of Spasmodic Colic, 
first, for it is more fatal in its results and of great- 
er prevalency among horses than any other species 
of this disease. It is characterized by sudden and 
violent spasms. The animal appears to suffer the 
most extreme pain; paws and stamps violently, 
shifts his position almost continually, biting his 



22 THE HOPvSE. 

breast and flanks, and assuming almost every po- 
sition imaginable, will lie down, roll over on his 
back, get up and frequently turn round once or 
twice, and looking sorrowfully and wistfully at his 
flank. The spasms usually last from lifteen to 
twenty minutes, after which time the horse will 
rest easy and apparently, comfortable. But this is 
of short duration, and if relief is not immediately 
given, the poor animal will be subjected to the 
same violent tits and spasms as before, but with 
increased streneth and severity. 

The common causes are application of cold wa- 
ter to the body while in a heated condition, drink- 
ing too much water while the blood is heated, and 
the stomach in a warm or feverish state, produced 
by unwholesome feed, or over feeding. With the 
following treatment I have met with marked suc- 
cess. In the first stages of the disease, throw a 
handful or two of Salt down the horse's throat. 
If this does not give relief within fifteen minutes, 
give the following drench: 1 oz. Tincture Opium, 
1 oz. Sulphuric Ether: 1 oz. Tincture Camphor; ^ 
pint warm water. If not better in thirty minutes, 
repeat. If it should become necessary, and the 
nervous system can not be relaxed by the above 
treatment, bleed freely from the neck vein, back 
rake the rectum, and give warm soap-suds and to- 
bacco clysters. 

FLATULENT COLIC. 

This is produced by an accumulation of gass in the 
stomach and small intestines, causing the stom- 
ach and belly to swell and extend, and the rectum 
to protrude. When the swelling becomes great, 



THE LIVER. 23 

relief must be given immediately, or sure death will 
be the result. Relief at this stage of the disease is 
best given hy raking, and the use of soap-suds and 
tobacco clysters. The following compound will 
be found good in all varieties of colic. 

2 oz. gum Catecue; 4 oz. gum Camphor; 4 oz. 
gum Asafoetida; 2 oz. gum Opium; 1 pint sweet 
spirits Nitre; -^ pint spirits Amonia; -i- pint Sul- 
phate of Ether. Bottle well and set aside for sev- 
eral days. Dose — 1 oz. in ^ pint of warm milk or 
cider. Repeat every 30 minutes till relieved. 

I might add here that this compound is also ex 
cellent in lung fever. A thimble full put on the 
tongue, once in two or three hours in connection 
with the treatment given for this disease in other 
parts of this work, will be found of great value. 

DISEASES OF THE LIVER, OR 
YELLOW WATER. 

In either case, the billiary or hepatic duct be- 
comes obstructed from too frequent use of un- 
wholesome feed or from noxious or impure air, 
causing the eyes and the mouth to turn yellow; 
the hair and mane to become loose, and drop out. 

At this stage of the disease the horse is often 
lame in the right shoulder, and usually costive. 

Give the following ball ever}^ morning, until it 
operates upon the bowels : 7 drachms Allocs, and 
1 drachm Calomel, 4 drachms of Ginger, and mo- 
lasses enough to make it into a ball; wrap it in 
paper and give it. Give scalded bran and oats ; 
grass, if it can be got. When the bowels have 
moved, stop the phj^sic, and give one ounce spirits 
Camphor in a pint of water e>ery morning for 



24 THE HORSE. 

twelve days. Rowel in the breast, and give a few 
doses of the Cleansing Powders. 

LUNG FEVER. 

Symptoms. — The horse is taken with a chill or 
shivering fit, stands back at the end of the halter, 
breathes very hard, and never offers to lie down; 
the lungs have a grating harsh sound. 
This is a science in horse doctoring, of which but 
little is known, but easilv understood. If vou sus- 
pect your horse of having lung fever, the fact can 
be known with certainty by holding your ear close 
and low, behind the shoulder. If he is so attacked, 
(acute) you will hear a heavy throbbing of the 
pulse, with a grating sound, resembling the rasp- 
ing of nails when a horse is being shod; his ears, 
legs and sheath are cold, and he stands with his 
legs wide apart to expand the lungs, the fever 
causing inflammation, so as to render it difiicult 
to inhale the air. 

The anatomy of the horse, shows that the blood 
flows to the heart from all parts of the body, it is 
immediately forced out into vessels or arteries di- 
viding a branch, which accompanies the windpipe 
on one side, the other branch passing to the other 
division of the windpipe. As often as the wind- 
pipe divides, the blood vessels accompaning it di- 
vide in like manner, 'till at last minute divisions 
of the blood vessels reach the air cells, when they 
pour their contents into the capillaries. The air 
cells are filled upon the principle, that gravitation 
causes air to rush into any cavity, hence, it is the 
pulse acting as a valve in its perpetual motion, that 
equalizes the temperature, by a regular fresh ins- 



PLEURISY. 25 

pirations of air, which owing to th e inflamed condi- 
tion of the cells, cannot enter, thus the heated 
blood brings on fever. 

Treatment while in the chill state. — Cover with 
a blanket, and rub the legs well. After the fever 
has set in, control the action of the pulse by giving 
^ oz. Tincture of Lobelia as" often as may be re- 
quired. If it gets bad, you will have to bleed in 
the neck vein and blister behind the fore leg. Be 
careful to keep the pulse near its natural state. 
Do not give any powerful physic. I would also 
recommend on first appearance of fever, a large 
handful of salt in a quart of water as a drench, 
and in twenty minutes, treat and give the medi- 
cine as directed. After rubbing the legs thorough- 
ly with salt and hot water for ten minutes, to 
cause circulation of the blood, it would be w^ell to 
bandage the legs well with hay ropes wet in warm 
vinegar, all the way down from top to bottom 
Give no corn or dry feed. Grass or bran mash is 
best. If the fever lingers any length of time, give 
3 drops of Aquenite, and 15 drops of Jesomine, in 1 
oz, of water every three hours. With the above 
treatment I have cured hundreds of cases. Give 
your horse fresh cool air to breathe. 

PLEURISY. 

When the lungs partake of inflamatory action 
it is termed Pleuro Pneumonia. There is so much 
sympathy of the parts, that they are to a greater 
or less extent involved. The attack may be sudden 
or gradual; the horse will show indisposition for 
many days before the attack. A hard drive; over- 
heating; being exposed to the cold; bathing in 



26 



THE HORSE. 



cold water, when the horse is in a state of perspi- 
ration; or any thing that will cause respiration to 
disappear. The horse will be dull and stupid for 
a day or two; not wanting to lie down; pulse not 
much disturbed; will grunt or groan in moving on 
account of the pleuro of the lungs, and by the rub- 
bing of the sides, as the disease increases the fever 
increases, and the nose becomes of a deeper red, 
and so on till the horse is relieved. Blanket well- 
put him in a warm and comfortable stall; all the 
while keeping the air pure; rub strong stimulative 
Imiment on the legs; and also on the body and 
on the breast. This is a good and sufficient lini- 
ment: composed of Aqua Amonia with -^ water; or 
if this cannot be procured, use any good liniment, 
or apply mustard three or four times a day. Give 
15 or ::0 drops of Aconite and Veratrum as used 
for inflammation of the lungs: keep up an irrita- 
tion on the legs and body; repeat the medicine; 
give internally every 20 or 30 minutes until relief 
is afforded, lessening or increasing the dose in 
quantity and frequency according to the severity 
of the case; feed light for some time; give him 
mashes, and give him crude Antimony^and Sul- 
phur, as in the treatment for inflammation of the 
lungs. 

PNEU3I0NIA, OR INFLAMMATION 
OF THE LUNGS. 

An inflammatory or high condition of the 
lungs, is caused by high feeding, keeping in close 
and badly ventilated stables; then subjected to 
violent exercise, or sudden changes from heat to 



PNEUMONIA. 27 

cold being applied to the external surface of a hea- 
ted animal by which the blood is driA^en from the 
skin and extremeties to the internal organs. 

The disease is usually noticeable, first, by the 
horse having a severe fit; he refuses his feed; 
hangs his head between his fore legs, or upon the 
manger; and will not move or lie down; the breath- 
ing is quick and weak, scarcely preceptible; legs, 
ears, and muzzle cold. If the attack is sudden, 
coming on after violent exertion and the pulse is 
quick, weak or scarcely perceptible, and if by put- 
ting the ear to the side, no sound is disco veered, 
the disease is termed congestive pneumonia. 

This disease requires speedy treatment. When 
inflammation sets in, clothe warmly, and treat as 
for Pleurisy, applying counter irritants to the 
breast, sides and legs; and give the following mix- 
ture: 4 oz. water; -^ oz. tinct. Veratum Yiride; ^ 
oz. Aconite; (mather tinct.) Dose. — from 15 to 30 
drops on the tongue in from 20 to 30 minutes, ac- 
cording to severity of the case, until relieved; also 
a few swallows of water should be given. If the 
horse will drink, the medicine may be o^iven in 
water. He is improvmg if the pulse is full and 
regular and his actions are lively. Oil or physic 
of an}^ sort must not be given, as there is so much 
disposition to s^^mpathy that any irritation excited 
by physicing, would aggravate the disease, or 
cause inflammation of the bowels and death. In- 
jections are admissable. Diet must be low, for 
some time, using a small quantity of bran mash, 
or a few potatoes, carrots or grass ; no oats or corn 
and but little hay. Give bran mash daily for two 
weeks in which a table spoonful of the following 
mixture should be put, for the purpose of preven- 



28 



THE HOKSE. 



ting dropsy of the chest: 3 oz. sulphur, 4 oz. Ni- 
trate Potassa( Salt Peter) 1 oz. crude Antimony. 

A WANT OF CONDITION. 

The connection between the skin and a healthy 
state of the horse generally, and particularly the 
proper discharge of the digestive functions, is 
much closer than horsemen seem at all times to 
imagine. A soft, loose, mellow coat, easily raised 
from the muscular substance beneath, and the hair 
either curling naturally, or lying smooth, and pre- 
senting a glossy appearance,' are considered in cat- 
tle, as indications of health, and a disposition to 
thrive; and in horses they are proofs of condition 
and capability to work: "^but the connection be- 
tween these things and the stomach, is too much 
overlooked. Condition in a carriage horse, the ra- 
cer, and the cart horse, are very different things; 
but they all agree in tlie particulars above men- 
tioned; they all exhibit the same soft, elastic state 
of the skin, and the same glossy smoothness of the 
hair. 

The skin is pierced by innumerable pores, 
through some of which exudes an unctions matter 
that gives the peculiarisoftness and healthy skin. 
If there is any mismanagement in the feeding; if 
proper cleaning, clothing", or exercise is neglected 
or improperly managed, the evil effects will soon 
be manifest by the want of pliency and elasticity 
of the skin, and the accumulation*^ of scurfy matter 
upon it, and by the roughness of the hair. 

^ Bad water, mow-burnt hay, musty oats, or foul 
air, are frequent causes. Diabetes, or profuse stall- 
ing is often brought on, causing the vagina in 



GRAVEL. 29 

mares and cows to distend and dilate, or the Far- 
ciman to swell down both hind legs and along the 
belly; and also a secretion of milk before foaling 
or calving: garget is a disease of the udder. 

By these means the condition of the animal be- 
comes greatly reduced. It is requisite, therefore, 
to inquire whether an}^ of these errors are in exis- 
tence, and if so to remove them. A sudden cold 
often brings on a want of condition. Worms form 
another cause of morbid condition. In case of ei- 
ther, the cure must be directed in accordance with 
the cause. Excessive fatigue is also productive of 
a bad condition, which often proves obstinate. 

The first thing indicated in the treatment of a 
want of condition, unless it can be traced directly 
to some one of the above causes, is a mild dose of 
phvsic. A second or third dose may be necessary, 
if the case proves obstinate, but otherwise, altera- 
tive and tonic medicines, given for a short time, 
with proper attention to diet, clothing and exer- 
cise, will be all that will be necessary. Turning 
to grass is among the best remedies. 

STONE OE GRAVEL IN THE BLADDER. 

Fortunately the stone is a disease not very com- 
mon amongst horses; but whenever it makes its 
appearance, unless some remedy is immediately 
employed, its consequences are to be much dread- 
ed. It consists in small gravel or stones being 
lodged iu; the bladder, which prevents a free dis- 
charge of til^irine, and produces the most excru- 
ciating pain. The horse will linger and pine away, 
until he can scarcely support the burden of life. 

As the stone is a disease which has but seldom 



30 THE HORSK. 

if ever, struck the attention of farriers, I consider 
myself fortunate in being able to offer to the pub- 
lic a simple remedy, which has been employed with 
astonishing success by a gentleman in a neighbor- 
ing count}'. In one case, when the following rem- 
edy was used, three stones and a quantity of grit 
was discharged from the bladder. 

The spasms of the Ureta are the great difficulty. 
I have a case which I am treating while I am wri- 
ting this article, which was of long standing which 
I restored with abundant success, by means of the 
following remedy. ^ oz. Tincture Lobelia, ^ oz. 
Tincture Opium, -J^ oz. sweet spirits Nitre; in ^ 
pint warm water. Drench; if not better in an hour, 
repeat; and make a bran mash; add 2 oz. water 
melon seeds, 2 oz. pumpkin seeds; feed twice and 
give Charm No. 7 as directed. 

FOUL SHEATH. 

Most horse owners pay too little attention to the 
animals sheath, a neglect of which often results in 
colic, inflammation of the parts which extend to 
the bowels, and other serious consequences. When 
first the sheath becomes foul, the horse runs down 
in flesli, and frequently gets so low as to be on the 
"lift". The complaint and its results are so fre- 
quent, that within a short period I have been called 
upon to prescribe in at least fifty cases of the kind. 
B}" examination of the sheath you will find it swol- 
len and feverish. The proper mode o| .procedure 
is, to draw out the penis, having your Hands greased 
rub as much of the foul matter off as you can, still 
applying the grease. In the point of the penis is 
frequently found a "bean" a hard substance formed 



DISTEMPER. 31 

by an accumulation of filth, which is sometimes 
diiiicult to remove ; it must, however be picked out. 
When this is accomplished, after removing all 
the filthy matter possible, wash the parts with a soft 
rag, soap and water, finally greasing with hogs 
lard, well salted and fried in Bittersweet. The 
operation may have to be repeated two or three 
times. A few doses of Cleansing Powders should 
be given. 

BLIND STAGGERS. 

The term "Blind Staggers" indicates the two 
principle effects of the disease, and points out 
its true causes and symptoms. Hence we need 
do no more than name the disease, in order that 
it may be known. We therefore go at once to the 

TREATMENT. 

Bleed in the neck until the horse is somewhat re- 
lieved, then give a dose of physic. Give him bran 
mash to eat, in which put daily a double handful of 
green Rue. This will enliven him, prevent worms, 
gross humors, and will purify the blood. Make 
free use of the Cleansing Powders. 

DISTEMPER. 

Is brought on by a morbid state of the system, 
usually engendered by exposure and want of care. 

It manifests itself first by a swelling or tumor un- 
der the Jaw, and by profuse discharges from the 
nose. This swelling gradually increases in size 
and hardness until it renders the animal unable to 



32 THE HORSE. 

eat. At this stage of the disease relief must be af- 
forded as soon as possible, or it will result fatally. 

Lance the tumor as soon as suppuration sets in 
and matter can be detected. If it should remain 
hard and be slow in ripening, apply a poultice of 
common brown sugar and bar soap. Give him the 
Cleansing Powders for ten or twelve days. Turn 
him out if you can on pasture. 

NASAL GLEET, OR NOSE DISCHARGE. 

The cause of this is neglect in distemper, or over 
heat or cold. This is a white discharge; is not con- 
tagious, and can be cured. 

Take Alum ^ lb. | lb. Rosin; 1 oz. Blue Vitriol. 
Grind and mix well with ^ lb. Ginger. Give one 
large spoon full every night and morning. Make 
awash of Privy leaves and Sage leaves; steep 15 
minutes, strain, then add 1 oz. Golden Seal, with 
which swab the horse's nostrils twice a day until 
cured. Make free use of the Cleansing Powders. 
Keep him out of the wet, and do not work him. 

BUTTEN FARCY. 

Cause. — Over heat, high feeding, and want of ex- 
ercise. 

Symptoms. — The limbs swell and break out in 
running sores. This is a blood disease and you 
must depend more on cleansing the blood with the 
Cleansing Powder, and use the Healing Wash for 
old sores, applying two or three times per day after 
washing clean. Be careful not to get the matter on 
a wound, or on your hand or it will vaccinate you. 



33 

WATER FARCY, 

Is a swelling under the belly, and forward to the 
breast. Rowel in the breast, and along the swelling. 
Apply the Healing Wash for old sores to the swell- 
ing. Move the Rowel every day, and let it stay in 
until the swelling goes down. Give soft food-mash- 
es with the Cleasing Powders in them. 

MANGE, 

Is a cutaneous disease, appearing in small watery 
blisters on the skin, accompanied with an uneasi- 
ness or irritation that causes the animal to rub itself 
constantly. There is a difference of opinion among 
authors, as to the cause of this disease. Some at- 
tribute it to a small insect, that may be found by 
means of a microscope, in the vesicles, others to a 
morbid state of the blood, generated by unwhole- 
some food, or by want of proper care, or standing in 
unclean and imperfectly ventilated stables. The 
disease is taken only by contact or contagion. 

TREATMENT. 

Wash the horse thoroughly with Castile soap and 
water, then take a pint of the Jimson Ointment, 
add "I oz. Red Percipitate and apply it to the affec- 
ted parts. Give daily of the Cleansing Powders. 

This will never fail to effect a permanent cure. 

SURFEIT, 

Is caused by over eating and drinking, and want 
of suflScient exercise, and at times, by over fatigue, 



34 THE HORSE. 

or sudden transition from heat to cold. By means 
of which the system becomes surcharged with mor- 
bid matter which makes its appearance in the skin, 
causing it to become scaly and scurvy. Treat- 
ment should be th^ same as is given for want of 
condition. 

MARGINS, OR DUMBNESS IN HORSES. 

This disease makes its appearance in different 
forms. Frequently it is noticed by his dullness 
in driving, and inclination to leave the road, or 
bear upon one rein, and inclined to sleep while 
standing; and, again, he appears to have lost all 
feeling; pays no attention to the whip, and will go 
to sleep with his mouth full of feed. In other in- 
stances the horse is taken with jerking of the head 
up, and will run back and fall down, lie a few min- 
utes, and get up again. This is called by some, fits, 
but it is the same disease in another form, caused 
frequently by high feeding and want of exercise, 
causing too large quantities of blood to pass to the 
brain. It is supposed by some to be dropsy of 
the brain, but this is not the fact. Cure doubtful 
in all cases. 

Treatment for the dumb horse; bleed and phys- 
ic; give regular exercise and keep in a cool stable. 
Reduce his flesh by taking strong feed from him 
and give him fodder or blades of corn. Give ^ oz. 
Tincture of Assofoedita every day for one week, 
and then tie the gum upon the bits and wear it on 
them all the time. The same is proper in all forms 
of the disease. They call it sun stroke. It is wrong 
to keep horses in hot stables without being well 
ventilated. The stable should be kept clean^ and 



HEAVES OR THUMPS. 35 

lime applied every twelve days. The ammonia a- 
rising from the filthy stable is bad for this and all 
other diseases, and hard on the eyes. 

HEAVES OR THUMPS, 

The subject of Heaves or Thumps in horses has 
engaged the attention of many of the best Veteri- 
nary Surgeons in England and America, without 
being able to arrive at any conclusion as to its cause, 
or a remedy for its cure. 

From my experience I am satisfied, that what is 
termed heaves or thumps, is nothing less than heart 
disease of a milder type. The disease is not direct- 
ly in the heart, but in the Pulmonary artery, caus- 
ing an obstruction of the blood from the ventricle of 
the heart. The Pulmonary artery, like every oth- 
er in the body, is composed of three distinct coat- 
ings — the outer, Peritoneal; the middle, or muscu- 
lar; and the inner, or serous. Its walls are very e- 
lastic and flexible when in their natural state, and 
expand to some extent, at^every pulsation. But it 
so happens that they sometimes become grown 
together and hardened, in which condition they do 
not admit the flow of blood so freely as before. Or- 
dinarily no disturbance is noticable from this change 
in the coatings of the artery. The duct still ap- 
pears to be suflftciently large for the passage of the 
blood, until the horse is severely exercised, or oth- 
erwise excited; and then the blood courses through 
its channels with such rapidity that the dimin- 
ished capacity of the pulmonarj^ artery is found to 
be a serious trouble. The vessel does not respond 
to the growing demands upon the heart. The 
blood now begins to accumulate in the heart com- 



36 THE HORSE. 

pelling that organ to put on extra labor to urge it 
forward through the unyielding artery; and this 
labored action of the heart often becomes so great 
that the outer arterial channels sympathize, with 
it, and a general throbbing of the internal viscera 
is the consequence- This throbbing may be plain- 
ly seen upon the sides and. flanks, and hence the ap- 
propriate, though homely name, thumps. 

TREATMENT.-The bcst temporary relief, frequent- 
ly lasting for years, will be given the animal thus 
affected, by giving a large handful of salt in about 
eight quarts of cool spring water. Bleeding will 
also give relief, by lessening the flow of blood, but 
it should not be adopted unless in extreme cases, 
and then only as a last resort. I give the German 
cure, as follows, which I find in my practice to be 
the most efficient, having cured numerous cases, 
some of which were in the last stages- Take one 
qt. unslacked lime, slack it in two gallons of soft 
water, settle and strain ofl*; then add 1 gal. Smith's 
Forge water, 3 oz. oil of Vitriol, mix Give two oz. 
of this daily in chop feci 

In this disease all feed should be wet and care 
taken not to feed mow-burnt hay or any feed which 
is tainted, as this is the originating cause of the 
disease. 

To cure heaves or to give temporary* relief take 
oil of Tar 1 oz., oil of Amber 1 oz., Balsam-capaenia 
1 oz.; mix and give 15 or 20 drops in feed daily. 

INFLAMATION OF THE BOWELLS. 

Symptoms very much like colic, followed by 
purging, proceeding, too often, from over doses of 
physic being administered, or from acid generated 



WORMS. 3t 

in the bowels by food. In addition to tne purg- 
ing, constant pain attends this disease, which is in- 
dicated by the animal frequently looking around 
to his flank, heaviness in his breathing, a quick fe- 
ble pulse, hot mouth, ears and legs. The horse will 
be much tucked up in the flank; by pressing a- 
gainst the bowels with the hand, he will flinch, the 
nostril will be almost a scarlet red, the tongue pur- 
ple in the centre, and red on the edges. Large 
quantities of water when overheated; sudden 
change from warm to cold atmosphere ; plunging the 
horse when hot into cold water, are the principal 
causes. High fed horses are most subject to this 
disease. 

Treatment. — Take 1 oz. of Calomel and make it 
into four pills. Give one every two hours. In two 
hours after you have given the last pill, give 1 qt. 
of Linseed-oil. In the mean time, if the horse is in 
pain, give him ^ oz. Tincture-Opium, and repeat if 
necessary. 

WOEMS. 

There are three kinds of worms which affect the 
horse. The first and most troublesome are the 
large white worm which resembles the common 
earth worm, and is from six to ten inches long. 
These are found principally in the small intestines. 
A strong dose of physic will often expell great 
numbers of them when the horse is apparently in 
good health. The Tape-worm is not common in 
the horse; sometimes, however, they exist. The 
Thread or Needle worm are the smallest and are of 
a darker color. These are found in the large intes- 
tines, and frequently in great numbers in the Rec- 



38 THE HORSE* 

turn, where they cause much uneasiness. The 
symptoms by which the existence of worms are dis- 
covered are a tight skin, a rough coat, an irregular 
appetite, tucked-up belly, also a yellow mucus un- 
der the tail. Cure: — Barbadoes Allocs, 1 table- 
spoonful; boiling water, -|^ pint. When the allocs 
are dissolved, add Linseed 1 qt; shake well togeth- 
er, and after sweetening well, inject twice a week, 
as long as any worms are discharged with the in- 
jection. To use internally the cleansing powders, 
mixed with hickory ashes, or corn-cob ashes about 
one half in bulk, has been known to expel great 
quantities of them. 

BOTTS. 

Many recipes are laid down in this book, most 
of which will free a horse from Botts, if not too far 
spent. The signs are, they will be knotted under 
the upper lip, and when those knots appear to have 
yellow heads, they are far gone, and can only be 
cured by powerful remedies^ but when he sweats 
and his breath is strong and hot, there is a doubt 
of his ever being cured. They will likewise, if not 
very bad, often strike their hind feet against their 
belly, show signs of colic, lie down and stretch, get 
up hastily, and feed greedily. The cure is, first 
bleed him plentifully in the mouth, that he may 
swallow a large quantity of the blood, or for want 
of it, drench with 3 pt's of milk well sweetened 
with molasses, blood warm. Let him stand near an 
hour that the Botts may loose their hold, by filling 
themselves with blood, or milk and molasses ; then 
take one pt. of Linseed oil: give him one half and 
remainder next morning. It is found by experi- 



ROARING. 39 

ment that this oil is a deadl}^ enemy to the Bott, 
killing them in an instant. It has been tried by 
other common oils, but the effect is not so quick, 
yet most oils destroy them of a certam texture. 
With this treatment you need not lose any .crea- 
ture with this disease, and 3^our horse will after- 
wards thrive exceedingly well. It is well to give 
it once or twice a year, especiall}^ in the spring just 
before he goes to pasture. The decoction of Savin, 
dissolved in Nitre and well sweetened with honey, 
is a good recipe for Botts. Savin and hickor^^ ash- 
es mixed with their food, will both prevent their 
breeding and destroy them. 

ROARING, 

Usually accompanies or preceeds broken wind; 
and is one of the results of "Pneumonia. It is not 
an affection of the lungs as is usually supposed, 
but is the result of congealed blood lodged in the 
Windpipe which obstructs the free passage of the 
air to the lungs and renders the breathing heavy 
and labored^ causing a roaring and wheezing sound 
that at times can be heard a quarter of a mile or 
more. The roaring is invariably brought on by 
hard work, or by any excitement that will heat the 
blood. The disease should be treated in the first 
stages, for after it has become thoroughly develop- 
ed cure is doubtful, and we might add, with truth, 
impossible. But in all cases, relief can be afforded 
by applying counter-iiTitants to the throat. The 
disease taken in its first stages can be cured by the 
use of the German cure, as given for glanders. The 
animal should have the best of care and attention. 



40 THE HORSE. 

BROKEN WIND. 

The causes of this disease are not well under- 
stood. It sometimes makes its appearanee after a 
severe attack of Lung Fever. It is also produced, 
at times, by severe labor immediately after eating, 
while the stomach is full. The principle of which 
is this: A heavy load upon the breast of the ani- 
mal while the stomach is lull, causes the breast to 
contract and cramps the lungs, and while in this 
cramded and compiessed condition, ruptures of the 
cells occasionally take place, which become perma- 
nent, and are the legitimate cause of the wheezing, 
we might give other causes, but it would be of no 
practical utility; hence we proceed at once to the 

Treatment. — Feed light; Bran Mash is the best; 
in which put from 15 to 20 drops of the following 
mixture in each feed daily until consumed: Spirits 
of Turpentine, Balsam Copa^via, Tincture of Cap- 
sicum, oil of Tar, equal parts, and mix. 

This mixture is also good for all cases of cough, 
acute or chronic. 

TETANUS, OR LOCK JAW, 

Is produced by an affection of the Nervous Sys- 
tem, which is generally brought on by the injury 
of some small nerve, produced by a bruise, and 
sometimes by the nerves being torn or lacerated. 
Injury to the nerves of the foot, produced by bad 
and unskillful shoeing, and sometimes by fast dri- 
ving over' rough roads, may be considered the chief 
and principle source of this dreadful maledy. 
Lock Jaw is not the necessary result or inevitable 
consequence of bruised or conrused nerves; but 



TETANUS, OR LOCK JAW. 41 

this in connection with gross neglect and undue 
exposure to cold and bad weather, will at times pro- 
duce it, especially if the horse's blood is in a dis- 
eased and unhealthy state, and the system not in 
proper tone and condition. 

This disease affects the organism of the horse ; 
all the muscles become rigid and contracted, there- 
by producing extreme nervous derangements, and 
the most violent spasms. And as the muscles and 
tendons become contracted, the skin tightens, the 
joints become stiff, the breathing labored, until fi- 
nally the powers of motion cease and the poor vic- 
tim falls lifeless to the ground. 

There is no reliable remedy for this malady. Af- 
ter it is thoroughly developed, all hope of recovery 
may be abandoned, for then it is that relief cannot 
be given. 

The fatality of this disease is attributed not 
so much to bad treatment or want of proper care 
and management as it is to actual starvation, pro- 
moted by the fixedness of the jaws, which render 
the animal unable to eat. 

Treatment: — In the last stages of this disease 
all treatment is vain and useless ; but by proper 
care and management before the disease becomes 
fully developed, it may be checked and its dread- 
ful results prevented. The prime object in the 
treatment of all diseases, is to relieve the afiected 
parts, and to remove the cause, and as the nervous 
system is toned up to its highest tension in this 
disease, it is to this that we must look and procure 
if possible a recation of the same. This can be 
done by bleeding freely from the neck vein. This 
has been proven ta be the most reliable treatment 
for this complaint; for by a depletion of the blood, 



42 THE HORSE. 

the nerves and muscles are relaxed, and a healthy 
and natural action of the various organs of the sys- 
tem is procured. The blood should be allowed to 
flow as long as the horse can bear it. Close atten- 
tion should be given to the action of the pulse, 
when it becomes low and feeble and its strokes slow 
and irregular, the blood should be checked until it 
(the pulse) resumes its natural measured strokes 
and tone. When, if the jaws and muscles have not 
relaxed, the blood may be let to run for the same 
length of time. This repeated for a few times, will 
by degrees, produce the effect desired. The bleed- 
ing should be checked before the vital energies of 
the horse become overpowered and his strength 
fails him. 

After a sufficient quantity of blood has been ex- 
tracted. Opiates should be used to quiet and tran- 
quilize the nervous system. 

Give from one half to a gill of laudanum every 
six or eight hours till the nerves become quiet and 
the horse rests easy. During which time salts 
should be given in sufficient quantities to produce 
an operation of the bowels. In this disease an 
evacuation of the bowels is very necessary, and 
should be procured as soon as possible. Use in- 
iections of corn meal and flour gruel every four to 
SIX hours. A quart at each injection will be suffi- 
cient. This relaxes the bowels and gives nourish- 
ment to the animal. 

As soon as your horse is able to eat, give him 
bran, mash or any soft feed that is easy to masti- 
cate and will not heat the system. Keep him well 
blanketed ; apply warm fomentations to the neck 
every six or eight hours, until you have secured a 
free perspiration when you may hope for recovery. 



BLEEDING 43 

Too free use of this mode of treatment should not 
be used. 

A horse in a sound and healthy condition should 
never be bled. 

It doubtless greatly diminishes the longevity 
of the animal, and weakens in a great measure his 
constitution, impairing his vital energies and ren- 
dering him more susceptible to colds and all kinds 
of contagions. 

The curative process in all deseases is to be car- 
ried on through the medium of the blood; for it is 
through the means of the blood that disease is il- 
liminated and the system recuperated; hence to 
extract from the system that medium through which 
cure is affected and the system built up, is to any 
sober and thinking man unreasonable and by such 
never practiced except in extreme cases when the 
veins become engorged and speedy relief absolute- 
ly necessary. But when time can be taken for the 
cleansing and purifyingof the blood, bleeding should 
not be practiced. Make use of such remedies as 
will purify and cleanse the blood, and you at once 
remove the destructive and disaffecting elements. 
Disease is not removed by bleeding; for the des- 
tructive agent still remains in the blood unextrac 
ted. Any good altterative will accomplish this pur- 
pose and renovate and make new, as it were, the 
entire system. Never make use of the killing prac- 
tice of bleeding, when the same end can be obtain- 
ed by other and more reliable remedies. 

The diseases which have been heretofore treat- 
ed by bleeding, you will find treated of in other parts 
of this work and the proper remedies therefor given. 



44 THE HOKSE. 

HEMOERAGE, 

Or bleeding at the nose is usually the result of 
an injur}', and at times proves fatal. For which I 
conlidentiaUy recommend the following 

Treatment: — Take two small hemp cords and 
tie them very tight just beneath the elbows of 3'Our 
horse's fore legs; this in a measure, will stop the 
circulation of the blood; then lay cloths wet in cold 
or ice water on the nape of his neck, which wet 
frequently; this in mild cases will be sufficient. 

When the bleeding is profuse, I would recom- 
mend either or both of the following: 

1st. Burn three or four linen rags on a pan; let 
the animal inhale the smoke. Pulverize the burnt 
rags, and blow the ashes up the nostrils. 

2d. Take 2 drams of Sub-sulphate of Iron; 2 
drams of Tannic Acid; 2 oz. water; and shake 
well, and apply to the bleeding parts. 

Either of the last two remedies are excellent for 
a bleeding wound. 

SWEENY. 

Its real cause is produced by a slip shoulder or 
by the tearing of the Periostreal membrane from 
the Scapula. This disease effects more or less 
both the bone and the muscles in that region; but 
at times, only the one appears to be effected pri- 
marily, while the other is only effected through 
sympathy. But when the bone is more or less af- 
fected, the membranes surrounding are always in 
a diseased and inflamed condition, extending from 
the shoulder, to the foot, which is one of the prin- 
ciple causes of foot-rot, and many other foot diseas- 



SWEENY. 45 

es. When this disease becomes deep seated, and of 
long standing, it is always certain to produce dis- 
eases of the feet, usually foot- rot. 

Treatmxt : — Inflate the shoulder well. This can 
easily be done by means of a small blow pipe, by 
first making a small incission through the two first 
membranes of the skin. Get up a strong counter- 
irritation. The inflammation should be dispelled and 
scattered as soon as possible. 

No better remedy can be oflfered than the corro- 
sive Liniment, and none that can be used with more 
ease and safety, an application once a day for three 
or four days is sufficient to scatter the inflammation ; 
after which the German cure, No. 1 should be used, 
which is an excellent restorative and one that has 
long since proved itself, reliably in this lingering 
disease, which we here give, German Charm Cure 
No. 1. 

Take rusty bacon cut it small, and render the 
fat out, then add two tea-cups full of fine salt, and 
three fresh eggs, to half a pint of lard; stir it well 
until it is cold, and with this salve annoint the af- 
fected parts on the third, fifth and seventh dsLjs af- 
ter the new moon, it is a certain cure. 

Another for the same : — If your beast has the 
Sweeny, rise the first Friday in the new moon, and 
perform this cure speechless before sunrise: take 
a sharp knife and cut a small bit of skin from the 
aflected part, so that it may bleed, and put the skin 
with the blood into a small blank paper, then with 
an auger, bore a hole on the east side into an ap- 
ple tree, put in the paper with some blood and drive 
a pin upon it in three strokes, this you will find to 
be the most certain cure. 



46 THE HORSE. 

INFLAMMATION, OR SWEENY OF 
THE HIP. 

This disease is not so frequent as the correspon- 
ding disease in the shoulder, but is more easily 
handled. It is characterized by the same s^miptoms ; 
is as readily distinguished; and is produced by the 
same causes. 

Treatment: — The same treatment as for Sweeny 
in the shoulder should be used, omitting the pro- 
cess of inflation. The same remedies that are giv- 
en for Sweeny on preceeding pages, will be found 
the most rt^liable that can be used; either for dis- 
location of hip joint, for big shoulder, or in the 
case of hip being knocked down, in all of which 
cases an entire or partial cure is insured, by which 
treatment and special care the horse may again be 
rendered useful in many departments of labor. 

STIFLE SPRAIN. 

We use the expression Stifle Sprain, from the fact 
that a dislocation of the stifle joint, is of rare oc- 
currance, indeed if it ever takes place. Should it 
occur, it is very doubtful if the horse would ever be 
able to walk again. The stifle, is however subject 
to sprains, and is sometimes so badly injured, as to 
produce swelling; inflamation, and lameness of 
the most hopless character; causing the horse to 
hold up his foot. He will tremble when moved and 
at times give indications of the most intense pain. 
This however occurs only in extreme cases; it is 
usually not much complicated and easily handled. 

Treatment : — Foment the stifle with warm water, 
and rub dry. Then apply the Nerve and Bone Lin- 



BIG SHOULDER. 47 

iment every five hours, give bran mashes or some 
mild physic. Never allow any stifle shoe or cord 
to be placed on the foot or leg. 

BIG SHOULDEE. 

This is properly Sweeny, and should be so term- 
ed. Its name is derived from the swelled and ag- 
gravated condition of the joint. It is accompanied 
with all the symptoms and peculiarities; the same 
loss of flesh; the same lameness; the same inflamed 
appearance, as is peculiar to Sweeny, but of a more 
aggravated character. The enlargement is produc- 
ed by a diseased and unnatural growth of the scap- 
ula; to which the prime cause of disfigurements 
and lameness may be attributed. 

Hip knocked down or Dislocation of hip. The 
hip joint affords the best type of the ball and sock- 
et to be found in the structure of the horse. And 
this, in connection with the firm cartilages that en- 
case the bones on every side ; and supported as they 
are by strong and powerful ligaments ; render a 
dislocation of the same, very difficult ; rarely occur- 
ring except by sudden wrenching motions ; whereby 
the head of the Femur is wrenched from the socket. 
As it takes great violence and powerful agents to 
produce a dislocation ol the hip, so does it take 
great skill and care to replace and treat the same. 
The head of the Femur being hard to replace and 
the horse diffcult to manage, renders it a particular 
and doubtful case to handle. The horse should be 
kept quiet, if bad weather, kept in the dry, keep 
on low diet and make free use of the cleansing pow- 
ders, for the blood should be kept in a healthy con- 
dition. 



48^ THE HORSE. 

ENLARGED OR CAPPED HOCK 
AND HAUNCHES. 

The cause of the enlargement of these parts is 
generally that of a bruise ; or some serious injury 
to the joint. The enlargement is usually filled with 
a thin transparent fluid called Serum. This fluid 
should be drawn from the swelling, as soon as (it) 
the swelling becomes soft and susceptible of im- 
pression to the hand. 

This is best done by running a seton through the 
lower edge, for the entire contents of the enlarge- 
ment ma}^ be extracted. After which strong coun- 
ter irritants should be used. Among the best is 
Corrosive Liniment. Nerve and Bone Liniment 
and stifle Liniment, either of which thoroughly ap- 
plied and well rubbed in once a day, for three or 
four days will usually be sufficient. To reduce the 
swelling use from four to six applications of the 
Jimson Ointment dail}^ keep well in mind the con- 
dition of the horse, and give if necessary freely of 
the cleansing Powders. 

INSTRUCTIONS ON SPAVIN, RING-BONE, 

SPLINT, CURB, THOROWPIN, BOG 

AND BLOOD SPAVIN. 

In the treatment of any of the above named dis- 
eases it is proper to exercise a good judgment in 
ascertaining the length of time it has been standing, 
and whether it is ossified bone, or merely cartila- 
ginous swelling that arises from a burise, sprain, 
or the breaking of the periosteum that forms over 
the bone. These sprains which break the perios- 
teum on the bone cause great fever in these parts 



49 



INSTRUCTIONS ON SPAVIN RIN(f-BONE, SPLINT, CURB, 
THOROWPIN, BOG AND BLOOD SPAVIN. 

a pound of remedy. Hence, below I will give the 
receipes which have cured all stages by their com- 
bined treatment; and in the science of medicine we 
challenge the world to equal them. 

Take of Cantharides, 2 oz; Mercurial Ointment, 
4 oz; corrosive Sublimate, ^ oz; Euphorbium, 2 oz: 
Croton oil, 1 dram ; Camphor Gum, -| oz. Take 2 
lbs. lard, Mutton tallow, -J lb ; melt over a slow Are 
until dissolved, then add the above after removing 
from the fire ; be careful to stand where you cannot 
enhale the air arising from the mixture when stir- 
ring. Stir and mix well until all is cold ; then put it 
in a glass jai*, secure tight. If any case has been of 
long standing, rub on more freely of the ointment ; 
any recent case, a less quantity will answer. Ap- 
ply enough to merel}^ grease the parts, rub in well 
with the hand; in twelve hours squeeze the parts, 
repeat the squeezing e\ery four or six hours in 
twenty-four hours ; wash off clean with soft water 
soap-suds and salt; if it is freezing weather bind 
up the part with something to keep cold out until 
it gets dry; then apply the corrosive Lin- 
iment — merely enough to moisten the parts. This 
Liniment has great power in restoring all sprains 
and bone diseases, from the fact that it ossifies on 
the bone, filling up the small pores in the bone. 

To make the corrosive Liniment, take 
1 pint of Turpentine ; 1 oz. Camphor Gum; 1 oz, 
Tincture of Iodine; 2 oz. Stone oil; 1 oz. of finely 
pulverized corrosive Sublimate; Cork in a bottle; 
in twenty-four hours it is fit for use. Every time 
after applying the Liniment, use the salve to 



50 THE HORSE. 

strengthen the parts and keep down fever. To make 
the salve to be used after the Lmiment, take a 
large handful of what is called Bitter-sweet or Sar- 
saparilla; 2 lbs. of Lard; 1 lb. Mutton Tallow; 2 
oz. pulverized Jimson seed; wash the roots clean 
and bruise under the hammer, then fry the roots 
and seed for fifteen minutes over a slow lire; then 
throw out the roots, and add to the above ^ oz, Tinc- 
ture Iodine; ^ oz. Camphor Gum; -^ oz. Beeswax; 
-^oz. Turpentine; stir well until all is cool. This 
is one of the best salves ever made for any purpose. 
It is good for all collar bruises, old sores of any 
kind, and should be kept on hand b}^ all farmers. 
This is a sure healing salve for Fistulas and Poll- 
Evil after the pipes are distroyed; and we have 
healed some of the largest sores and cavities with 
this salve, after removing warts, you ever saw 

FOUNDER IN THE FIRST STAGES. 

The horse is stiff, his feet hot and often trem- 
bles, and is very thirsty. Give a pretty heavy dose 
of physic, then ^ oz. doses of Tincture of Lobelia 
to control the action of the pulse as often as may 
be necessary, keep the limbs cold by standing the 
horse in w^ater or winding the legs with hay ropes 
and pouring water on until the physic has operated. 

ACUTE FOUNDER. 

A horse may be foundered by excessive hard rides ; 
permitting him to plunge deep into* cold water 
while hot and sweating, and drinking his fill of cold 
water; eating large quantities of grain and fodder, 
and then being briskly exercised; over-feeding with 



ACUTE FOUNDER. 51 

bran alone, whilst performing hard labor; drinking 
plentiful ly%t every stopping place in traveling; 
feeding him more than he should eat, after being 
half-starved; violent exercise on a full belly; or, 
not permitting him, after traveling in a hot sun to 
cool thoroughly before he is given as much as he 
can drink. 

The symptoms that indicate an approaching foun- 
der are so common, that most persons .will rarely 
be mistaken. Heat about the legs and ears, a sore- 
ness in the feet, with a stiffness so great in all his 
limbs, that the animal frequently refuses to move 
unless forced; his flanks and lower part of his 
belly drawn up; his hide becomes bound or stiff; 
a constant thirst, etc. ; considerable swelling on the 
ankles. 

Cure. — ^When the effect is confined to the body 
mostly, and is not attended with fever on the fore 
legs and feet, the disorder may be effectually re- 
moved by giving first the following : 

Barbadoes Aloes, half an oz ; Root Ginger, half 
an oz. ; Jalap, half an oz. ; Gum Myrrh, quarter oz. ; 
thoroughly pulverized, and add one pint of warm 
water. Three hours after repeat the dose. If the 
above cannot be obtained, give Warm Lard, one 
quart; Molasses, half a pint. — If an operation does 
not follow in from four to six hours, repeat the 
dose. Should the case be attended with a partial 
suppression of urine, give the following : 

Rosin, one pound; Ginger, half a pound; Sul- 
phur, two ounces. Pulverize well; to two ounces 
of this compound add one pint of warm water, and 
repeat until relieved. This remedy seldom fails 
to remove all obstructions from the urinary organs 
without danger of inflammation or other injury. 



52 THE HOKSE. 

FOUNDER IN THE FEET. 

After a severe hard day's work, or when very 
much heated, if the horse gets a sudden chill by 
standing in snow or cold water, it is not uncomrnon 
for him to be seized with a general stiffness, and 
every symptom of fever. By degrees, however, it 
is observed that the affection is felt more in the 
limbs than in the bod}'. On feeling the feet, they 
will be found intensely hot, and the pastern arteries 
beat with force. The animal exhibits extreme 
tenderness of the feet, and will scarcely move with- 
out compulsion. The fore feet are usually most af- 
fected. Of fhis, however, we can judge by feeling 
and by the position in which* the horse stands. 
When he draws his fore-feet under him, the hind 
ones are most diseased. 

After a few days, unless the animal is relieved, a 
separation of the hoof from the coronet takes place, 
and it eventually falls entirely off. 

Cuke. — I have treated many cases of this kind 
with uniform success. First see that the bowels 
are in a proper state. If a physic should be nec- 
essary, give that recommended in the preceding 
article, then if the urinary organs should be free 
from obstructions, and the appetite natural, no oth- 
er internal remedy will be required. The hoofs 
must be kept soft. Should the appetite fluctuate, 
the coat stare, and be attended with hide-bound, 
give the Powder directed for Acute Founder. An 
effectual cure has followed from taking off" the 
shoe, and applying lard raised to the boiling point, 
to every part of the foot. 



HOOF BOUND OR TENDER FEET 53 
—CAUSES OF THIS. 

Fever in the feet usually commencing in the 
muscles of the leg or shoulder, and extending to 
the feet. In all cases make the operation as for 
stiff shoulders or sweeny, then have the horse shod 
as directed in article on shoeing. 

FOR BRITTLE HOOFS OR SPONGY FROGS 
IN HOOFS THAT ARE DISEASED 
AND CHALKY. 

Anoint them with equal parts of dog's grease, 
tar, turpentine, boiled together. Scrape out the 
frog clean and anoint the affected parts also all 
around the top of the hoof, every four or five days, 
it will make them grow strong and tough and as- 
sist in forming a healthy frog. 

HOOF EVIL THRUSH OR GREASE HEEL. 

The cause of this disease is over feed, want of 
exercise, or filthy stables. Symptoms — a discharge 
of offensive matter from the frog and around the 
top of the foot. Put a stiff shoe on the foot keep 
it from contracting. Give the cleansing powders, 
for ten days, wash the parts clean once a day with 
Castile Soap, give gentle exercise then use the 
healing wash for old Sores, three or four times a 
day, or the corrosive Liniment in the same manner, 
either of which are very commendable. Continue 
the clean-sing powders, and wash for several days 
after there is no appearance of disease. 



54 THE HORSE. 

CERTAIN CURE FOR THE SCRATCHES. 

The Scratches is a disease similar to the prece- 
ding one, and also requiring similar treatment: 
however, we give a receipe separately, which in all 
cases proves a success. 

Take 2 ozs. Sulphate of Zinc; 1 oz. White Lead; 
1 oz. Goulard's extract. Pulverize, and mix with 
-^ lb. of lard. Cleanse well the parts affected with 
Castile soap: after which apply thoroughly the 
mixture as given; after two or three days, cleanse, 
and make the second application and so continue, 
until a cure is effected. 

A GOOD OINTMENT. 

Take the Ointment of Rosin, 5 ozs.;^ oz. of fine 
ly ground Verdigris; 2 ozs. of Turpentine; Mut- 
ton tallow 2 lbs.; ^ oz. Oil of Organum; ^ oz. 
tincture of Iodine; mix well. This is one of the 
best medicines for Scratches, Hoof Evil, Cuts, and 
is good to apply on Fistula, after the rowls are ta- 
ken out. 

HOOF MEDICINE. 

For tender feet, hoof bound, etc. Linseed Oil, 
or Neats foot Oil -^ pt., of either. Turpentine, 4 ozs. ; 
Oil of tar, 6 ozs. ; Organum 3 ozs. ; Mix and shake 
well, apply it as the directions for the Ointments. 
This is the best if the horse has been lame long; 
it penetrates the hoof sooner than the Ointment; 
both of them should be applied at night, so the 
horse can perform his daily labor. 



HOOF OINTMENT. 55 

Take Rosin, 4 ozs. ; Beeswax, 6 ozs. ; Lard 2 lbs. 
melt together; pour into a pot, add 3 ozs. Turpen- 
tine; 2 ozs. finely powdered Verdigris; 1 lb. Tal- 
low; stir until it gets cool. This is one of the best 
ointments for the hoof ever used. It is good for 
corks or bruises of the feet. For hoof bound or 
tender leet applj^ it all around the top of the hoof, 
down one inch every day, first have a stiff shoe on 
the foot, and cleanse the cut or crack. Never cut 
or burn it. 

GRAVEL IN THE HOOFS. 

The Gravel in the hoof is an incident that hap- 
pens to horses in traveling, and is brought on by 
small stones or grit getting between the hoof and 
shoe, settling to the quick, and then inflame and 
fester; it produces lameness and causes a horse to 
undergo very excruciating pain. The first step 
necessary for a horse's relief is, to have his shoes 
taken off and get the stone out. You may readily 
ascertain where they lie, by pressing the edge of 
the hoof with a pair of Pincers. After all the 
gravel is removed, which may be known by a dis- 
continuation of the blackness of the place. The 
w^ound caused by cutting for the gravel may be eas- 
ily healed by melting together equal parts of Bees- 
wax, Rosin, fresh butter or Sweet-oiL, and pouring 
the mixture on the wound, warm as the animal can 
bear it, without giving pain. Then warm a little 
tar or pitch, and pour a small quantity over the 
wound and its neighboring parts, to keep out the 
dust and defend the foot from any hard substance 
for a few da3"s; make a free use of the Hoof Oint- 
ment all around the top of the hoof, to keep down 
fever. 



56 THE HORSE. 

TO CURE CORNS, 

Take ofi' the shoe, cut out the corns and drop on 
a few drops of Muriatic acid. Then make the shoe 
so it will not bear on the part affected; repeat ev- 
ery three weeks. Apply the Hoof Liquid to the 
hoof to remove the fever. This is a treatment that 
never fails. In addition to this make free use of 
the corrosiA^e Liniment tor three or four days. 

QUITTER. 

This is an inflamation on the Quitter, between 
the outer crust and soft structure of the foot; rais- 
ing a large lump, or forming a ring around the top 
of the hoof; which at first is very hard, but after- 
wards forms a tumor, which gives the horse great 
pain to walk. Treatment. — Poultice the foot with 
a poultice of flax-seed meal, covered with ground 
Mustard; and apply for three da3'S, or until it gets 
soft; then wash clean, scrape out the frog, and an- 
oint with the Hoof Ointment, as prescribed on pre- 
ceding pages. With this treatment I have cured 
over one hundred cases of this kind in the last 
year; cases that are less obstinate, can be cured by 
a free use of the corrosive Liniment, applied once a 
day for three or four days, in the frog, and around 
the top of the foot; after which make a free use of 
the J imson ointment, til a cure is effected. 

WINDGALLS. 

Six ozs. of pulverized blood root; 1 qt. of good 
nniegas; simmer together until reduced to half the 
quantity. Apply twice a day, and bandage with a 



LAMPAS. 57 

sponge of convenient size. If this does not cure 
use the spavin and ring-bone medicine. 

LAMPAS. 

All young horses are liable to this complaint. It 
is nothing but inflamation of the gums. Bleed or 
scarify the gums. Never burn, for it spoils the 
teeth ; and adds to the cause of the disease. Give 
mash ; rub the gums with salt ; give the cleansing 
Powders. 

BIG, OR MILK LEG, 

Is brought on by a hurt, or a want of action in 
the absorbent system ; it is drospy of the muscles of 
the leg. Apply the Liquid Blister every three hours 
until it blisters; then in six hours grease with soft 
oil of any kind. In eight days wash the part clean 
and appl}' it again. Repeat three or four times and 
then use the Iodine Ointment. If this does not re- 
move it all, apply the spavin medicine which will. 

SCOURING. 

Colts and horses frequently scour from to free 
use of green feed; or from over exercise or expos- 
ure to cold rains. Young horses will scour and some- 
times without any apparent cause. They should 
be kept quiet, and given the following mixture : — - 
Laudanum -^ oz. ; thick Starch, 1 pt. ; and one hen's 
egg, give at single dose. Repeat if not better in 
three or four hours ; this former for a colt. For 
an old horse, the following : — 1 oz, tincture of Opi- 
um; 1 oz. tincture of Rhubarb; 1 oz. tincture of 



58 THE HORSE. 

Camphor, 2 ozs.; of starch or flour; combined with 
oae half pt. of milk. Drench and repeat in half an 
hour if necessary. 

SHOEING. 




It requires no little skill and practice to shoe a 
horse properly. livery one who choses to term 
himself a blacksmith should not be entrusted with 
a valuable horse; for a great many hoof diseases 
are the result of unskillful shoeing. The first, and 
indeed the most important operation in the shoeing 
of a horse, and that too: which requires the most 
skill and prudence, is the paring and triming of 
the hoof. The hoof should be reduced to its nat- 
ural size; the bottom rendered smooth and level 
by the use of shoeing butress; the frog should be 
trimmed neatly and carefully, in form a little convex, 
and gradually taper to a point. The iron of which 
the shoe is composed, should be rather tough and 
of the first quality. The shoe should be an exact 



SHOEING 59 

fit; ^oiild be smooth and level, so that it will fit 
the hoof exactly, without first being heated and ap- 
plied to the hoof, in order that its impression may 
be made and a fit thereby effected. The nails 
should be made with small heads, for they are not 
BO liable to catch on obstructions and thereby 
wrench the shoe and loosen it from the foot. The 
nails should be driven with care, and regular! t}^; 
high enough to hold the shoe from two to four 
months. The points of the nails should be well 
clinched, and the hoof neatly rasped below the nail 
points. Shoes should be of difi'erent sizes and 
weights. For draft horses they should be heavy, 
strong, and rather light at the heels; for roadsters, 
light, and rather of a medium size, with good sub- 
st*antial corks, but not too light at the toe. A 
horse that is hoof bound, should be shod in the fol- 
lowing manner: 

Pare the toes down well and leave the heels as 
high as possible. The shoe should be beveled to- 
wards the outside of the heel, commencing from 
the last nail hole back, and set well under the foot. 
After the shoe is adjusted, use the Hoof ointment 
or Hoof Liquid. This will spread the foot by a 
gradual process, that will not be injurious to the 
foot. Do not have the foot spread by an instru- 
ment, or have it rasped above the nail holes, as it 
will injure the foot. 

HOW TO JUDGE A SOUND HOOF. 

The hoofs of a horse should be proportioned to 
his size; of a dark color, smooth, tough, and near- 
ly round ; not too flat nor too upright, and the hol- 
low. White hoofs are much more tender than any 



60 THE HORSE. 

other color, nor do they retain or hold a sh&e so 
well nor for so long a time. A foot that is some- 
what flat, turning up at the toe or full of ridges, 
or flat and pumiced on the under side, strongly in- 
dicates founder or other injury. If the hair lie 
smooth at the top of the hoof, it is an evidence of 
its being good, should there be nothing unnatural 
in its shape ; but if the hair stands up and appears 
rough, and the flesh swelled a little beyond the 
circle of the hoof, it is a proof the foot is in some 
way diseased and a ring-bone may be apprehended, 
or a quittor, deep seated ulcer or a hoof disease of 
some character 

I deem it proper to give here one of the most 
prominent causes of the disfigurQment of the hoof. 
It is often the case that a horse is partially or oth- 
erwise wholly ruined by the carelesness of leaving 
old lumber lay about the barn-3^ard, through which 
extend sharp nails and frequently the animal in 
its playful moments, pierces the hoof with these 
rusty nails, which is ver}^ poison causing acute infla- 
mation contracting the hoof, producing narrow 
heels or even an entire supuration of the hoof. 

For corns, and burns, and frosted feet. 
There's not a cure that can compete 
With 'Bowcrsmith's Liniments/ aU of which 
May be obtained by poor and richl 

The Ointment and Liniments will ensure, 
For man and beast a perfect cure, 
And hence its praises should be sung 
Throughout the world, by every tonguel 



61 



CHAPTER, IV. 



THE HOOF— ITS FORMATION AND 
STRUCTURE. 

The horse is more liable to unsoundness from de- 
fects of the feet than any other disease to which 
he is subject. It is therefore, a matter of great im- 
portance that we should become acquainted with 
a knowledge of his hoof, its formation and structure. 
And in writing for the information of the reader 
on this point, we shall speak plainly, avoiding the 
use of clasical phrases — too often resorted to by 
authors on anatopaical and other subjects, and so 
little understood by the general reader, as to be tru- 
ly to many a dead language. 

The diseases of the hoof are various: caused 
by fast driving on hard roads, strain by heavy 
draughts, hard or plank floors or 'filthy stables, 
bad shoeing, &c. The diseases thus frequently en- 
gendered, not, only effect the foot, but the entire 
limb often producing corns, hoof rot, grease, scratch- 
es, thrush, spavin, ring-bone, splint, &c. 

In giving a synopsis of the anatomy of the foot 
of the horse, we shall comraence with the hoof, 
which is the outside shell or horny substance cov- 
ering the different muscles, bones, blood-vessels, 
nerves and other tissues, which form the foot prop- 
er. An eminent writer on this subject, in drawing 
a comparison between the fore-leg of the horse, 
with that of the arm of a man, says, whatever dif- 
ference appears may be traced directly to that 
economy in nature which adapts the simplicity or 



62 THE HORSE. 

complexity of structure and is due to the fact, that 
its use is limited to the support of the body and its 
progression. The interior of the outer-hoof above 
mentioned, containing the muscles &c., is the in- 
ner-hoof encasing the coronet and coffin-bone, the 
latter, a small bone in the midst of the hoof. Its 
texture is light and spongy and traversed through 
by numerous blood vessels which nourish the soft 
and sensitive tissues by which it is surouded.. Be- 
tween the coronet and coffin-bones, and in the con- 
cavity of the latter, is a small bone, stvled the navi- 
cular^ from its boat shape form. From the upper 
edge of the coffin-bone are attatched laterall}^, two 
gristly or cartilages substances, extending back- 
ward, giving elasticity to the movement of the foot, 
and as high as the pastern joint, and inwardly to 
the sensitive frog attaches to its sides, the entire 
uniting in one mass, filling the cavity around the 
coffin-bone. The lateral portion of the cartilage 
attaches with tlie horizontal, and passing inwardly 
forms a hollow space behind the coffin-bone, that 
contains the spongy matter of the heel, also, the 
several blood vessels, nerves, <fec., which pass 
through and nourish the sole of the foot. The Cy- 
clopedia of A7}atom I/, says, ''The upper surface of 
the horizontal process of cartilnge is lull of scal- 
rous elevations and depressions that defy dissec- 
tion, among which is to be found a quantity ofgel- 
atina-ligamentous tissue. Beneath, or under the 
surface of this horizontal layer, the sensitive sole 
and bar are adherent. As it approaches the frog 
or center of the foot, it looses its cartilaginous na- 
ture and becomes coriaceous (resembling leather; 
tough) or rather ligacento — coriaceous texture, (a 
strong, compact substance, serving to bind one 



ANATOMY OF TUE HOOF. 63 

hone to another,) agreeing in this with the inter- 
nal frog.*' 

Nature has done much in displaying its handi- 
work in the formation of the foot of the horse. And 
although many of its parts seem delicate and frail, 
all are calculated to meet the greatest demands for 
strength, speed, and durability, with reasonable 
care and attention. The entire formation of the 
hoof, with the distribution, with its different lay- 
ers of elastic tissues and soft cartilageous substances 
between the inner-hoof and inner bones entirely 
prevents any jar to the limb, which it would neces- 
sarily receive in trayeling over hard roads. This 
combination of matter materially breaks the force 
occasioned by the foot, while the animal is either 
pulling heavily or running rapidly over hard ground. 
Besides, the equal distribution of elastic cartila- 
geous substance cuts as an elastic cushion, bring- 
ing bearing upon the entire foot, and tending to 
the free and eas}" movement of the animal, without 
pain or shock to the system. Over the surface of 
coffin-bones is a thick, tough substance of lacteal 
matter, forming what is sometimes known as the 
sensitive frog. This matter, it is said by anato- 
mists produces the nails of the human hand, there- 
fore its adaptation to the point here assigned it. 

From the knee joint to the crown of the hoof the 
skin on the leg gradually becomes thicker, forming 
at the hoof what is known by waiters, as the coron- 
any band. From this band there is a finer forma- 
tion of the skin extending downward and over the 
coffin-bone richly suppressed with the nerves and 
blood vessels, throwing out their secretions of 
matter, which nourishes and gives growth to the 
horny substance compressing the inner hoof, and 



64 THE HORSE. 

also the minute projecting filaments covering the 
surface of the coffin-bone, the internal frog and the 
numerous cartilages around the inner surface of the 
hoof, decreasing as it approaches the heels. This 
matter, thus supplied to the harder portions of the 
foot, lends elasticity to the entire, and aids greatly 
in obviating the shocks to the limb, which would 
otherwise be inevitable. 

The wall or outer hoof which is that part of the 
foot extending from the hair, or coronary band 
downward, is generally in ordinary sized horses, in 
depth from three to four inches in front, growing 
gradually less toward the Ijeels, and in thickness 
in front about half an inch, becoming thinner as it 
extends backward. This outer hoof is divided in- 
to toe, quarters, heels and bars, of whicli the toe 
constitutes about two thirds. Here is the thickest 
shell and in most well formed, good feet, stands at 
an average of elevation about 45 degrees. When 
at a higher degree, it is generall}^ admitted to be an 
evidence of weakness. Flat feet are generally weak 
and are common in heavy draught horses, brought 
on, as is supposed, by the animals own weight, 
causing a want of growth, from depression of the 
inner walls of the hoof. 

The portions of each side of the toe, between the 
toe and heels, are known as the inside and outside 
quarters. The wall here is thinner as the quarters 
approach the heels, and the grain of the crust dif- 
fering from that of the toe, which runs a straight 
line up and down, is sloping obliquely downward 
and backward. 

The portions of the foot terminating backward 
is known as the heel, the wall of which is much 
thinner and shorter than at any other point, being 



ANATOMY OF THE HOOF. 65 

only about an inch in length, and frequently less 
than a quarter in thickness. The bars located in 
the center of the foot on the under surface, are in 
the form of an inverted V. 

In a well formed healthy foot, that has never been 
shod, the bars present the appearance of having 
been sharpened, between the center of the foot and 
heel. They are said to be well adapted to keep the 
latter open, and prevent contx^action of the former. 

A well informed writer on the subject of the for- 
mation and structure of the horse's foot, says, ""The 
result of his mechanism is, that every step, as the 
weight is thrown upon the foot, the coffin-bone de- 
scecids, elongating the elastic fibrous tissue connec- 
ted with the sensitive laminar, and pressing upo'i 
the highly elastic tissue of the sensitive sole, which 
rests upon the arch of the horny sole, causes the 
latter to yield and descend. The wall being elas- 
tic, especially toward the heels, is easily pressed 
outward, so that the ground surface of the foot is 
larger while bearing the weight than when the pres- 
sure is removed. Whenever the weight is taken 
off, the wall springs, back, and the sole receives its 
arched formu By this means the step is rerldered 
elastic, jaring is obviated, and injury to the sensi- 
tive sole and sensitive frog is prevented." 

The frog consists of a series of elastic arches, 
and not of a bony substance as might seem to be 
the case. It is of a wedge-like form, and not inapt- 
ly compared to an elastic Keystone received into an 
elastic arch, communicating in some cases, and 
admitting in all, the springing movements of which 
such an arch is capable. The base of the frog is 
located between, and connects the posterior curved 
portions of the hoof; the sides connecting by their 



I 



66 THE HORSE. 

upper edges with the bars, leaving two channels 
between the lower border of the bars upon the 
ground surface. The outer and inner surface of 
the frog from three foldings, acting as springs to 
keep the heels apart and foot spread. 

The blood vessels of the foot, as well as the 
nerves, are numerous and form a very intricate net- 
work or vessels, some of them deeply seated, and 
descending into the interior of the foot, passing in- 
to the coffin-bone, through its minute chambers, 
entering into the edges of the sole, and the sensi- 
tive parts of the foot. 



CHAPTER V. 67 

OPERATIONS. 




THROWING AND CASTRATING COLTS. 

In this more than anyother operation on the 
horse, practice and confidence are essentially re- 
quisite. Prepare yourself for the work b}^ having 
at hand a throwing apparatus, made of strong leath- 
er, about two inches in width and in the style of a 
Pennsylvania wagon breeching, with a strong inch 
and a quarter strap, sixteen feet long, sewed to each 
ring, a rope sixteen feet long, a pai^nf pincers, a 
sharp knife, clamps, needle thread, and grease. The 
clamps should be strong and filled level on the in- 
side with dough, or with equal parts of tallow, cor- 
rosive sublimate and red percipitate, well pulver- 
ized, sufficient to cover the dough and pre'ssed 
down with your finger. 

Now, you are ready for the work. Catch your 
colt, and lead him on to a smooth yielding surface, 
slip the breeching over his head, the straps back 
and between his legs, drawing the ends forward and 
through the rings in the breeching from the inside, 



68 THE HORSE. 

one assistant to each strap holding tight, walking 
backwards, while a third draws the colt forward 
by the halter or bridle, urging him thus forward 
and backward, he must come down, when he should 
be securely tied. Take in your hand the Testicle, 
drawing it as near its natural position as possible, 
holding it firmly in your hand, make a straight cut 
backward being careful not to cross the seam. 
Open well the scrotum. Now force the stone out 
and cut the striffin skin sufficiently large, so as not 
to hold any matter that may accumulate. Draw 
down the Testicle and clamp well up on the 
cord, dividing it equal in the middle of the clamp, 
and with pincers draw close and tie tight. The 
cord must be cut off about one eighth of an inch 
below the clamp, and a li4;tle corrosive sublimate 
applied to the end of the cord. Care should be 
taken while castrating, to look for what is termed 
a "water seed," found if it exists, between the 
striffin and outer skin. It is a watery substance 
and has the appearance of the white of an egg. If 
found, run your knife around it and take it off clean, 
if allowed to remain, it forms a hard red lump, which 
must in tim^^e removed. There is also a whitish, 
flabby, fatty substance in the same locality, which 
should be cut away, taking care not to cut an arte- 
ry. If an artery should be cut, immediately take 
it up with needle and tie the ends. Examine the 
Sheath and Penis, cleansing both and greasing welk- 
in the latter is frequently found a "bean," a hard 
matter which should be removed. If it is permit- 
ted to remain it will greatly endanger the life of 
the horse or colt. 

The proper time to geld colts, is during the 
spring or fall. The spring is the most favorable 



THROWING AND CASTRATING COLTS. 69 

time if the colt is in good condition; if he is not, 
wait until fall. The proper age for castrating is 
about one year old'. After the colt has had suffi- 
cient grass, to gain flesh, and cleanse the blood, and 
gained sufficient strength to undergo the operation. 
If the neck of your colt should be rather low- and 
his hinder parts slim and peaked, you had better 
let your colt, run six or ten months longer till he 
has filled out. Then geld in the fall when the colt 
is in good condition. 

A NEW SYSTEM. — Of late years the country is be- 
coming overstalked with unskillful operators in the 
business of castration. I give the following as the 
mode of operation employed by many such, and 
submit it to the judgment of all those in whose 
hands this book may chance to fall, whether or not 
it is the safest, surest, and best mode of practice. 
It is a fact however, as experience in all cases prove, 
that at least ten per cent, of all the colts under the 
process are lost. The horse is required to stand 
during the operation; the Testicles are removed as 
stated above (except clamping) by using a dull 
knife, or the thumb nail to sever the cord by scra- 
ping downward, thus bruising the arteries so as tc 
prevent excessive bleeding and cause immediate 
suppuration and healing to set in. They use the 
following mixture, (either powder or liquid;) 2 
dramsof sub-Sulphat of Iron; 2 drams of Tanic Ac- 
id; 2 ozs. of water; which is applied as usual to 
the bleeding parts and which has proved itself 
poisonous and even dangerous to the horse, should 
he in any wise be in a bad condition. 



70 



THE HORSE, 




RUPTURE, OR HERNIA. 71 

Rupture or Hernia, is a term applied in veterin- 
ary Surgery to a protrusion of any of the abdom- 
inal viscera through a natural or accidental open- 
ing or rent in the abdominal walls covered by the 
integuments. 

The cause of Rupture in animals is most gener- 
ally the result of an injury by a sharp implement, 
which may rupture the inside wall and not the skin 
of the abdomen, and thus let one or more folds of 
the bowels protrude through, making an unsightly 
tumor. 

Rupture occurs along the flank, and along the 
inside of the thigh, where it and the abdomen join; 
this being the thinest part of the abdominal walls. 

Various names are given to these ruptures, de- 
pending on the condition of the protruded bowels, 
such as Reducible (or returnable into the abdo- 
men.) Irreducible; Strangulated; that is subject 
to some constriction which not only prevents their 
return into the abdomen, but interferes with the 
passage of their contents. 

The discrimination of Rupture from other tumors 
is comparatively easy to a dextrous hand. Still 
Ruptures may be mistaken for tumors of a soft and 
yieldable character located in the same place where 
Ruptures occur. Such as Encysted tumors and 
abscesses. The general symptoms of reducible 
Rupture is when taken into the hand. Soft, elas- 
tic and rounden when it contains only the intestine, 
when pressed upon and worked around in the hand 
ta reduce the bowels, it returns easily. If howev- 
er, the net covering the intestine protrudes with 
the int-estines, is flabby and unequal to the touch 
and when pressed is slower and more diflSieult to re- 
turn. 



72 THE HORSK. 

Ruptures become irreducible after they are of 
long standing and adhesions form between the 
sack and its contents. Also by a constriction of 
the rent so as to prevent its return, in either case 
an operation must be performed to reduce the rup- 
ture, which will be spoken of in our treatment of 
rupture. 

Strangulated heniia occurs in old as well as re- 
cent ruptures, when it is constricted in such a way, 
that the contents of the produced bowels cannot be 
propelled onward, and the return of the venous 
blood is impaired. The symptoms are the same 
as in colic and obstruction of the bowels, and fi- 
nally inflammation of the bowels, especiall}^ if 
there is not relief given by an immediate operation 
after every means has been used to reduce by man- 
ipulation. The operation will be spoken of in the 
treatment. 

THE TREATMENT OF RUPTURE, 

depends on circumstances; when the rupture first 
occurs the plan is to return the bowels, and pre- 
vent its coming out with a pad and bandage, which 
should fit so neatly as not to rub open the sound 
skin. The trus should be made out of hard wood; 
the size of from one half of a hens egg divided the 
long way, to that of goose egg, depending on the 
length of the rent which can be felt through the skin. 
The ball is nailed on a stiff strip of sole lether from 
three to four inches wide and a foot long. For rup- 
ture in the flank a strap or strong canvas is fastened 
on the leather and passed around the body so as to 
buckle on the top of the back with the ball on the 
slit. When the rupture is on the inside of the thigh, 



I 



EUPTURE, OR HERNIA. 73 

then another strap is fastened to the leather to pass 
through between the legs and be fastened to the 
strap on the top of the back. This should be kept 
in place till the rupture has time to heal shut which 
will be from two to four weeks. When this plan 
does not succeed, then an operation becomes neces- 
sary, which consists in cutting down to the rent 
and sewing the inside slit up with a silver thread; 
first freshing the edges with the knife, leaving the 
silver thread permanently in place; then closing the 
outside cut with common stitches, and placing a 
bandage around the body of the animal, thus com- 
pleting a cure. Light feed and great care must be 
given the animal for two or three weeks until the 
parts completely heal. An old rupture, where the 
opening becomes large and round, requires a differ- 
ent operation. It is then necessary to prepare a 
silver plate, made one half to three fourths of an 
inch larger than the opening, hammering the plate 
concave or oval in the center to fit the rupture. An 
incision is made across the lower part of the rup- 
ture large enough to admit the plate, the fascia be 
ing dissected apart, the plate is placed over the 
opening and left there permanently, the outside cut 
is neatly closed up with common stitches and a 
light bandage is placed over it. Then all that is 
needed to complete the cure is rest, light feed, and 
cold-water dressing. This is a good and* successful 
plan of treatment, which I have performed a num- 
ber of times successfully. 

In irreducible hernia, where the contents are ad- 
herent to the sac, these must be broken up by care- 
fully cutting down to the rupture and with the 
knife or the fingers breaking the adhesions; then 
reduce the protrusion, and, where the rent is 



74 THE HORSE. 

long and can be closed by silver thread, it is the 
best plan to follow, but where the opening is round 
a silver plate must be inserted as spoken of above. 

In strangulated hernia, where there is great suf- 
fering and danger of inflammation after failing to 
reduce it by the hand, it is necessary to enlarge 
the rent by cutting in on the lower edge to the 
sack and with a blunt knife enlarge the opening, 
then reduce it and proceed as spoken of above. 

COLLAR BRUISES. 

Young horses which are high spirited will pull 
with such force, that they will bruise the coracoid 
process of the scapula; and when the system is out 
of condition and the blood either to thick or to thin 
infirmation will set in to try and cast off the con- 
gestive matter and fluids. In all such cases when 
they enlarge make an orifice in the lower part 
of the swelling by running a seton from the bottom, 
upwards through the center, open the lower cut 
sufficiently large that the contents may drain off 
freely. 

Treatment — make a free use of the Jimson oint 
ment, both on the outside of the affected parts, also 
wet the seaton with the same twice per day and draw 
it into the wound until you can see a healthy blood 
runs from the orifice ; the swelling abates ; or a fr^e 
suppuration sets in ; then remove the rowl and con- 
tinue to use the ointment. For any case of this 
kind of old standing or any hard callous that is de- 
tached from the bone; such as collar bruises. If by 
feeling of it with your finger and thumb, it is found 
that the lump is detached and will move backward 
and forward, the skin mav be opened the full size 



DOCKING. 75 

of the callous croswise, then peal and roll back the 
skin, having a needle with a strong thread in it run 
the needle through the edge of the callous to pull 
open, and scrape the lump close until you can cut 
it out. If it should bleed much apply the corrosive 
liniment or warm vinegar with some alum in it. It 
can be healed best with the green ointment, before 
annointing, wash clean with castile soap and warm 
water. I have removed hundreds of detached lumps 
of this kind, some of which would weigh ten pounds. 
The animal should alwaj's be thrown or a twitch 
applied, to secure them for the operation. 



DOCKING. 

Of the different modes in practice of docking a 
horse, the best, and the one which I generally adopt 
as in my opinion the safest, and causing the least 
suffering to the animal is as follows : Draw back 
the hair from the point where you desire to cut, ty- 
ing it with a string, so as to keep it out of your way ; 
then take a piece of two inch plank about 8 or 10 
inches square and place it on the top of the hip, 
(left side) and draw the tail back on to it, so as to 
have the point where the cut is to be made, as near 
the center of the board as possible. 

Then feel for the joint, and take a sharp two inch 
chisel and placing it on the spot, and with a mallet 
strike so as to sever the parts with one blow. Im- 
mediately bind up the wound with a cloth contain- 
ing horse or hog manure and allow it to remain for 
about twenty-four hours. Then remove it and wash 
off clean with salt and water. Then anoint it with 



m 



76 THE HORSE. 

the Jimson ointment. Three men should assist in 
the operation. Docking is of great value where the 
horse is weak in the spine, otherwise it is uncalled 
for and in fact is injurious to the horse in man}" in- 
stances; among which are the fighting of flies &c. 

SEATON HOW TO APPLY. 

Take a piece of leather string or white tape, the 
former is preferable; then cut holes in the skin 
where to be applied and introduce the string with 
a large packing needle, leaving about eight or ten 
inches of the string at each end, t^^ing a toggle or 
w^ooden button to each end so that you may draw 
it back and forth to pull in medicines, to cause 
suppuration and a free discharge of pus. Setons 
are often useful in keeping up a drain to draw what 
are humours from parts; or by this irritation on 
one part, they lessen the inflamation in another part 
not very remote, as wdien applied to the cheek for 
opthalmia or inflamed eyes. They also in the same 
way lessen old swellings by exciting absorption. 

Another useful action they have is to make a de- 
pendent or convenient orifice for the escape of lodged 
matter; thus a seton passed from the upper part of 
the opening of pole-evil, through the upper part of 
the integuments of the neck, as low as the J5innews 
run, will often eff'ect a cure without further app- 
lication. The same with fistular withers, which 
sometimes run under the shoulder blade, and ap- 
pear at the arm point; in which case a blunt seton 
needle, of suflScient length to be passed down to that 
point and to be then cut down upon, will form the 
only efficient mode of treatment. 



77 
HOW TO DRENCH A HORSE. 

Take a strong, long necked bottle, xaise the horse's 
head b}^ getting the halter over a beam in the sta- 
ble, then take out his tongue on the right side, in- 
troducing the neck of the horn or bottle from an 
elevated position, taking care not to let him touch 
it with his teeth. If there is any difficulty in get- 
ting him to swallow, place your hand tightly on his 
nostrils, so as to interfere with his breathing, and 
the drench will soon be swallowed. 

It is not safe to drench through the nose, as there 
is danger of the contents passing into the lungs, 
which would result in the congestion of the same 
or otherwise immediate death. 

FRACTURED BONES- 

At no period in the existence of the horse, is he 
so liable to accident by the fractuje of a bone as in 
his colt-hood. We shall therefore give from our 
experience such treatment as is best suited to acci- 
dents of this kind, and those remedies most likely 
to be successful. Fractures in the body above the 
limbs and the larger bones, are difficult of treatment, 
and frequently result fatall}^ Fractures are of two 
kinds — simple and compound. Simple fracture be- 
ing merely the breaking of one bone, without la- 
ceration of the flesh, while compound fracture in- 
cludes one or more bones, often breaking the skin, 
lacerating the flesh and ligaments, rendering treat- 
ment exceedingly difficult, the healing process slow, 
and the result in most cases ver}' doubtful. 

Where the skull receives a fracture, it is best to 
abandon the idea of cure altogether, as no perma- 
nent relief can be eflected. Some cases have come 



78 THE HORSE. 

under our observation, where prospects of recovery 
for a tinSe looked most favorable, but finally the 
animal died from apoplexy. Such fractures are 
generally the result of brutal treatment by passion- 
ate drivers, who, as we have frequently observed, 
strike a horse over the head with a heavy club or 
the but end of a whip, with sufficient force to kill 
the animal or produce concussion of the brain, the 
latter generally terminating in permanent injury — 
frequent!}' blindness and deafness. 

Fracture of the ribs is a matter of rare occurrence, 
and generall}'- the result of a kick from another an- 
imal. Such an injury often passes unnoticed by 
the owner, although the horse is apt to flinch from 
the touch when being harnessed or curried. But 
slight relief can be applied in such cases. When 
discovered, the best plan is to rub the part gently 
and frequently" with nerve and bone liniment. Hot 
salt and water, or strong vinegar, will answer the 
purpose well, but the liniment is preferable and 
when it can be had should be applied. 

Fractures of the bones of the nose or nasal or- 
gan are not of unfrequent occurence, and often 
pass unnoticed, unless where the bone is very much 
out of place. In such cases the assistance of the 
Veterinary Surgeon should be had, the bone replac- 
ed and bandaged, as in distemper. The same 
treatment as to bathing in rib fractures can be ap- 
plied with advantageous results. 

Fracture of the limbs are more frequent than any 
other to which the horse is liable, occasioned gen- 
erally by a fall a kick, or the horse getting his foot 
fast in a brido'e and such like occurrences. A bro- 
ken limb, particularly in an old animal, is a serious 
matter, and to treat it requires, not only skill but 



FRACTURED BONES 79 

close attention and care, without which the horse; 
if he lives, becomes useless, or probably death en- 
sues, The lack of experience in such cases even 
among men who have owned horses all their life- 
time, is a great impediment in the way of success- 
ful treatment. Many suppose that if a horse gets a 
limb broken, that his suflering ma}^ as well be ter- 
minated by putting a bullet through his head. This 
is great error, for if he is promptly treated, his life 
may be saved and he made useful for certain pur- 
poses for many years. Mares for instance may become 
good breeders as if nothing of the kind had ever 
occured. In cases of simple fracture, the animal 
is generally able to move around as before the ac- 
cident., being only very lame and of course sore. 
In such cases the parts should be well bathed with 
nerve and bone, or other pungent liniments, and 
bandaged carefull}^ with strong strips of stiff cloth, 
as tight as possible, without being so tight as to 
retard circulation ol the blood. (For bandages see 
recipes on another page.) After such an accident, 
a horse, as before stated, will move around, but af- 
ter a few days becomes weary and will lie down if 
permitted to do so. In order to prevent this, which 
would in most ca-ses be fatal to his recovery, as soon 
as possible after the accident, arrangements should 
be made for his support, by placing a strong cloth 
around his body, and by means of a* rope attached 
thereto, suspended from the loft of his stable, suffi- 
ciently high, so as barely to let the injured limb 
touch the floor. To this cloth should be attached 
breast and breeching straps to prevent it slipping 
backward and forward. By this mode of proce- 
dure and reasonable care and attention to constant 
bathing with the liniment as before named, from 



80 THE HORSE. 

three to four times a day, in nine cases out of ten 
the life of the animal will be saved. But the ban- 
dage should not be neglected. They must be re- 
moved frequently, say twice a week and immedi- 
ately rebandaged; but before doing so, rub the 
part gentl}^ with your hand and apply the liniment. 

Should the accident occur in the field, or other 
place, from where it is impossible to remove the 
horse to a stable, a structure may be formed with 
poles and chains, so arranged on both his sides, 
that with the help of a few stout men he can be 
raised to a proper position. In most cases it is 
advisable to cover the structure over, to shelter 
the horse from the weather. Both ends being 
open is sutScient for air. 

When the fracture is of the compound nature, 
the bones displaced, etc., the limb should, as soon 
as possible, be bathed copiously with warm water 
and castile soap to reduce any inflammation that 
may have taken place. If the bone is merely mis- 
l^laced, after bathing, the limb should be gradually 
and gently pulled until it is worked into place 
again. Now appty a strong stiff bandage of cloth 
about three inches wide; first lapping on a strip 
of cotton, commencing winding on about four or 
live inches below the fracture, giving the bandage 
an occasional twist on the back part of the limb, 
to cause it to press equally on all parts. If the 
fracture is a bad one, thin splints of green pliable 
wood, cut to the shape of the leg, and placed under 
the bandage may be used with advantage, but care 
should be taken not to allow them to press too 
heavily on the injured part. If the bones are not 
displaced, or the limb bent, simply bandaging and 
bathing may answer the purpose. Great care 



FRACTURED BONES. 81 

should be taken to prevent fever, which would in 
most cases result in death. To obviate this, and 
prevent costiveness, occasional doses of Cleansing 
Powders should be given, with bran mashes, chop- 
ped feed, or oats, but no corn should be allowed, it 
being of too heating a nature. If in the Summer 
season, a little fresh grass may be given with ad- 
vantage. 

The time of healing, depends much on the nature 
and extent of the wound, also the condition of the 
animal and season of the year. In general frac- 
tures below the knee, in cool weather and with 
good treatment knit in about a month. If above 
the knee the healing process is more tardy, proba- 
bly taking three times that time. Much is also ow- 
ing in the several cases of fractures named, to good 
nursing, without which you may not only lose your 
patient but also your time. 

TO STRAIGHTEN A HORSES TAIL. It is ofteu the case 
that horses of the finest symmetry in every other re- 
spect are disfigured and rendered unsalable by 
means of crooked tail ; caused by contraction of the 
cord on either side, I use successfully the following 
treatment. Take a sharp knife with the back of the 
blade dull, insert the knife just beneath the cord the 
side of the blade being to the cord, after inserted 
turn the edge of the knife so as to be horizontal to 
the cord, sever the cord in this manner in one or two 
places, after which tie the tail around in the oppo- 
site direction to a collar on the horse, let it remain 
so until the cords unite or the wounds are filled up 
by other matter. 



CHAPTER VL 



STABLE MANAGEMENT. 

The cost of a convenient and well ventilated sta- 
ble, is no more than is required for the construction 
of an inconvenient and illveutilated one. My expe- 
rience and observation in traveling for the. past 
thirty years, caring for my horses, in numerous sta- 
bles, almost daih' during this time, over an area of 
nearh' twenty states, has brought to my notice, both 
unpardonable ignorance and carelessness, in the 
awkward and unjudicious manner in which stables 
are constructed and arranged. This kind of taste 
and economy is similar to that which is exibited in 
a great mau}^ dwelling houses. The^^ are finely 
adorned out-side and even expensively constructed 
with regard to strength and durability while the 
inmates suffer for want of that indispensable arch- 
itectural arrangement — ventilation. Small apart- 
ments after being used to sleep in, are very hurried- 
ly, again arranged for its occupants, by spreading 
the clothes on the bed; closel}^ adjusting the win- 
dows; shutting the door; all of which are suffered 
to remain so, until again some unfortunate being 
is obliged to occupy it. The old and time worn 
feather bed becomes fetid and musty so as to be 
very offensive to the smell, on the instant of entry 
to the room. The air is pointed with these foul 
elements and other excrementitious matter; there 
is no circulation; the window usually being closed, 
hence if opened exposes the person to a draught of 
82 



STABLE MANAGEMENT. 83 

air, which of itself under the circumstances is very 
unhealthy and dangerous. Beauty, refinement, in- 
telligence and all the nobler qualities fade into 
insignificance, when subjected to the prostration of 
a nervous head-ache arrising from such a manner 
of sleeping. It is an unpardonable fault, that 
should always be guarded against in the begining, 
by making provisions for ventilation over doors and 
admitting of the windows being hoisted or lowered 
and surely every house-keeper or chamber-maid, 
who posess any degree of intelligence, should see 
that such apartments, are thoroughly ventilated af- 
ter being used. It is believed that the fore-going 
is a true theory for the arangement of the stable. 
But as its management and practical utility, is 
intrusted to that class of individuals, who for taste 
and refinement are far inferior to woman; and who, 
(it must be admitted,) know less of stable manage- 
ment, as a class, than woman about the regulation 
of domestic affairs ; hence I deem it no more than 
proper, that I should proceed and give some prac- 
tical hint?, and particular instructions upon the 
special matter, under consideration; that they who 
wish to improve, may derive some practical benefit 
therefrom, and by so doing assign to this noble 
animal, (the horse.) the position and treatment he 
undoubtedly merits, with relation to man. In the 
arrangment of the greater number of stables, both 
in the city and country, it is an observable fact, 
that they are little more than a closed box, over a 
pool, which perhaps is half filled with water and the 
refuse of the stable; from which arises through the 
floor a poisonous exhalation, that furnishes the basis 
of disease. A large rack is filled with mouldy dusty 
hay which is heaped against the horses nose. The 



84 THE HORSE. 

manger is partly filled with dirt and trash ; the 
meager bedding impregnated with foul amonia is 
thrown beneath the manger in the morning, to in- 
fect and poison evrything about it: and here the 
horse is forced to stand and feed, continually breath- 
ing upon the mass of filth and hay, which contains 
amonia strong enough to make the eyes water and 
smart in half a minute, which is continually rising 
and poisoning the air. It should be borne in mind 
that I have no selfish motive in view, more than 
that of referring to defficiencies it is incumbent 
upon humanity to correct, and it is m}^ greatest de- 
sire to bring to the attention of all entitled to my 
services, these evils which may be remedied. A 
stable should be of sufiicient size; thoroughly ven- 
tilated; yet comfortable and well lighted. The 
standing room for work horses should be at least 
five feet wide, and if the horse is worked but little, 
the room should be large enough to enable him to 
turn around freeely. If the stable is sufficiently 
large, a box stall should be used in all cases, but it 
should be well ventilated. The door should be 
made loose, and a window above the head, arranged 
so that it can be opened to give light and ventila- 
tion. If a manger or rack, such as is now in com- 
mon torm across the stall be used, I would suggest 
an improvement. In the first place should the 
construction of the manger be such, that the horse 
will waste feed while eating, it should be replaced 
by one, the top of which, is about three feet and a 
half from the floor secondly, should the rack slope 
out over the manger and horses head; making it 
troublesome for the horse to pull the hay out and 
and causing seed and trash to fall into his eyes and 
mane; and the dust to be brought to the nose and 



STABLE MANAGEMENT, 85 

inhaled; the front of the rack should be brought to 
HLi upright position and the back so slanted that 
the hay will all the time be in the horses reach. 
The most desirable manger I have seen in my tray- 
els, both for conveninece and health, are those so 
constructed that there is an alley or a floor in front 
of the manger, with a good tight floor in the manger 
being level with the floor in the alley. A manger 
should be built as described above with the follow- 
ing exceptoins--the bottom board should be left off 
on the side next to the alley; a lattice should be 
prepared of proper length to fit inside of the manger 
nail two cleats, one at each end of the lattice, so as 
to support (it) the lattice one foot from the floor; 
this affords a means for all the seed, dust and trash 
from the hay to fall through upon the floor, which 
can be raked out into alley at intervals : thus doing 
away with the presence of all dust and trash which 
is so injurious to the horse, besides during the year 
a great amount of grass seed may be accumulated 
and saved, which to first class farmers, is of no lit- 
tle financial moment. The feed box should be 
firm!}" fastened to one end of the manger, and large 
enough to prevent throwing feed out while eating. 
The place for hitching should be on the farther side 
from the feed box, to prevent the strap being caught 
by the foot. The manger should be a level with 
the breast or shoulders. The nearer the horse is 
made to imitate his position when eating the better. 
Every stable should have an opening on the top, to 
alJow bad air to pass out freely. The light to a sta- 
ble should be so admitted, that the ordinary work 
of the stable can be done without opening the doors, 
the windows should be arranged with shutters, so 
the stable may be darkened if necessary, when flies 



86 THE HORSE. 

are troublesome, or to give the horse a chance to 
sleep in the day time, which is sometimes necessary 
also the wall in front of the horses, should not be 
whitewashed as is often done, for it is injurious to 
the eyes, if such be the colors of the walls, it should 
be changed by adding something brown or dark. 
At an advanced age like this, when all men are sup- 
posed to posess some degree of intellgence, it is 
certainly high time, under ground, cellar stables, 
which admit of little light and ventilation be dis- 
carded, perhaps the wisdom of doing so, may be- 
come more apparent to those who are weded to the 
same, after loseing one or two horses with some 
form of acute inflammation. 

All stables should be built on high and level ele- 
vated lands, so that the urinary substance and all 
other filth would be washed trom beneath them. 
The flooring and side of a stable should be suflTi- 
ciently tight to prevent the bleak north winds from 
piercing through the large open cracks, which is 
the cause of a large proportion of Lung complaints, 
Pneumonia, or chronic coughs. It is not desirable 
to make the stable so warm as to shut out the cur- 
rent of air, when a large number of horses are shut 
up in a small, close and poorly ventilated stable 
you can soon perceive the hot and fetid change in 
the air. For each pair of lungs throws off a great 
amount of carbonic acid gas, and with this carbon- 
ate the air soon becomes greatly surcharged so as to 
be infectively poisonous, it was this doubtless which 
caused such a great mortality among horses, in New 
York city this present winter. 



87 
FEEDING 

In the procuring of feed for horses, under all 
circumstances, great discrimination and care is re* 
quired in the selection of the same, which for qual- 
ity and quantity, will impart the greatest amount 
of strength, vitality and elasticity to the animal. 

Food should be in proportion to the general con- 
dition and amount of labor to which the horse is 
subjected. If there be any extra task, for the 
horse to perform requiring more than ordinar}^ ex- 
ertion; the stomach should not be crammed with 
food as the action of the heart and lungs, would 
thus be much impeded, the result of which some- 
times is conjestion and rupturing of the air cells 
of the lungs. In the feeding of hay especially, this 
defect should be guarded against. Horses of a 
greedy nature will gorge themselves by eating so 
much hay, even of a poor quality, as to unfit them 
for labor and is usually found to result in heaves 
or broken wind. This disease is more prevalent 
among horses where there is no care in the selec- 
tion of feed. It is seldom found among horses of 
the finer class, especially race-horses, for more pru- 
dence is used in the selection of feed, and also fed 
in less quantities so as to harmonize with the de- 
mands of the system. The quantity of hay, given 
a horse should be regulated by the nature of the 
horse, if not at all greedy he should not be allowed 
more than eight or ten pounds in twenty-four hours ; 
further regulations should be made, taking into 
consideration the size, condition, use and amount 
of grain fed; roadsters require less hay than any 
others'. Dusty or mouldy hay should not be fed 
under any circumstances, as it is the cause of nu- 
merous diseases. 



88 THE HOKSE. 

In selecting feed for horses, it should be as near 
perfect as possible, especially hay. It is generally 
considered that hay is better when about a year 
old, no doubt horses would prefer earlier, but it is 
neither so nutritious or health}^ Hay should re- 
tain a good color until a year old and be sweet to 
the smell. In stacking or packing hay, about one 
quart of salt, should be used to each ton, this will 
preserve the hay, keep out insects, render it nice 
and bright, and give it a pleasant smell to the horse. 
But as has been remarked already in this article, 
the amount of hay to be fed a horse, depends upon 
the size, amount of work to be done, and also the 
quantity and quality of grain to be fed, which we 
will now consider. 

Corn posseses more heating elements than oats, 
while oats produce more muscle than corn. These 
two points being established hy experience, it 
would naturaly follow that the colder the weather the 
more corn may be fed and the harder the work, the 
more oats may be fed. Age adds worth to oats 
for feed. New oats will weigh from ten to fifteen 
per cent, more than old, but the difference for the 
greater part is water. The reason why old oats 
are better, it is claimed they are more easily diges- 
ted, while on the contrary new oats in any' consid- 
erable quantity will produce flatulency and de- 
rangement of the stomach and bowels. The same is 
true of corn, only it is regarded still more danger- 
ous when not sound and dry, of course if these 
facts be disregarded in all respects, it is done at 
the hazard of the effects heretofore named. As be- 
fore stated the quantity of oats to be fed, should be 
regulated by the size of the horse and amount of 
labor to be performed, ranging from eight to six- 



FEEDING. 89 

teen quarts per day. The quantity of corn should 
be regulated in the same manner, with some regard 
to the condition of the weather, corn should always 
be fed in the ear, from six to twelve ears are a feed. 
In hot weather corn should be soaked from twelve 
to twenty-four hours in some clean water, first ad- 
ding a handful of salt and a handful of hickory 
ashes ; this will greatly improve the horses feed ; 
aid digestion, and also expel worms. Owing to the 
ample time given for digestion through the night, 
it is better to give the larger feed in the evening, 
for during the day if the work is very great there is 
not time given. It is well established by experi- 
ence that some mild cooling laxative should be giv- 
en occasionally, trom eight to ten quarts of wheat- 
Bran covered with boiling water and let remain 
until cool, and fed at night from one too three times 
a week is the finest and best. I usually feed Irish 
potatoes, one or two quarts a week, with the usual 
feeds of grain, and from my experience consider 
them highly useful. Think their worth cannot be 
overestimated in this regard. Bran mashes and a 
small quantity of roots, keep the bowels open and 
the system in a good condition, without the use of 
them constipation is not improbable, which is one 
of the primary causes of morbid evacuation, colic, 
or inflamation of the bowels. It is often an eager 
question with some, to know the most speedy and 
best way to make a horse fat. Feed shorts and 
corn meal with cut straw, to which add a pint of 
gugar-cane molasses. This mixture, if we may so 
term it, has no equals, in recruiting up a horse 
which is out of sorts or poor. If the horse is gree- 
dy, and eats too fast, this may be remedied by put- 
ting- a few round stones in the feed box, he is now 



90 THE HORSE. 

compelled to pick the feed out from among the 
stones, which requires more time, and of necessity 
he is obliged to eat slowly. If the horse has per- 
formed some heavy task or if when sufficient time 
can not be allowed to eat and digest an ordinary 
meal, he may be very much refreshed by a small 
draught of cold water containing a small quantity 
of meal. In order to give some S3^stematized man- 
ner of feeding and watering, and also to give some 
idea of the extreme care and attention which may 
be rendered a horse when necessary I include the 
system of feeding and watering Mr. Bonnner's fa- 
mous trotting horse Dexter. *'At six every morn- 
ing. Dexter has all the water he wants and two 
quarts of oats. After eating he is walked for half 
an hour or more, then cleaned off, and at nine has 
two quarts more of oats. If no drive is on the card 
for afternoon, he is given a half to three quarters of 
an hour of gentle exercise. Atone o'clock he has 
oats again as before, limited to two quarts. 

''From three to four, he is driven twelve to fifteen 
miles; after which he is cleaned off and rubbed 
thoroughly dry. He has a bare swallow of water 
on returning from drive, but is allowed free access 
to his only feed of hay, of which he consumes from 
five to six pounds. 

''If the drive has been a particularly sharp one, 
he is treated as soon as he gets in, to a quart or two 
of oat meal gruel; and when thoroughly cooled, 
has half a pail of water and three quarts of oats, 
with two quarts of bran moistened with hot water. 
Before any specially hard day's work or trial of his 
speed, his allowance of water is still more reduced." 



01 

PASTURAGE. 

There is no species of feed more important to the 
horse breeder than grass; and to select from the 
different yarieties which thrive best and retains 
their verdure longest, must be left entirely to the 
judgment of the farmer, he being guided principally 
in his selection by climate and soil. Almost all the 
different varieties grow well and flourish for a while 
the length of time depending much upon the sea- 
son. The clover, a favorite grass in this country 
as well as in Europe, has become an uncertain crop, 
being liable to freeze out in winter, or be parched 
up by the summer's sun, therefore can not be de- 
pended upon as pasture for any season of the year. ; 
Especially to the stock raiser is an early and cer- 
tain supply of grass most valuable. In the breed- 
ing season to mares and their brood it is important 
giving to the dam that species of food, which jdelds 
the largest supply of nourishment for their young. 
Besides, colts soon learn to pick from the green 
and tender herbage ; redering them less burden 
some to their dam and promotes their growth more 
rapidly. But to this end clover either red or white 
species is objectional as pasture for horses. Either 
will cause horses to slabber, more especially the 
white and instead of giving nutriments and strength 
it has a contrary effect. 

Timothy or as it is sometimes called Cat's-tail 
grass, generallv esteemed the most valuable of all 
grasses familiarly known in the middle States, 
scarcely come up to our standard as offering relia- 
ble pasture. Of late years the severity of the win- 
ter has been very damagingly to the growth, and 
instances have frequently come under our observa- 
tion, when the frost has been quite as destructive 



92 THE HORSE. 

to its plants as to clover. But in more genial climes 
for instance, the Southern States, where biting 
frosts are unknown and of course Timoth}- is not 
damaged, will it there afford reliable pasturage? 
We answer no! for this reason, that it is one of the 
earliest, to start in the spring, is of rapid growth, 
soon matures and once ripe, the hot sun of summer 
and consequent parched soil, soon absorbs all its 
nutritious qualities, rendering it of little more val- 
ue for sustaining animal life than dry stubble. 

Timothy for hay, among all the varieties of grass 
known in the Middle States has no equal, but 
should alwaj^s be cut before the seed is fully ripe, 
and in this condition, when well mowed, horses and 
cattle eat with avidity, and keep in good condition 
without other sustenance. But to return to our 
subject-pasturage : 

In further consideration of this matter, we shall 
be brief, noticing the varieties best known, and 
most approved tor this purpose of pasturage. And 
among the first we will maintain the blue-grass of 
Kentucky as having a pre-eminence over all others 
for this purpose. It is remarkable for retaining its 
green and verdant appearance the entire year round 
it generally grows about a foot high, throwing out 
from the bottom a great growth of fine green tender 
herbage, forming a thick surface over the entire 
surface rendering its roots equally impervious to 
the Summers Sun as the winter frost. It is very 
durable, remarkable for its verdure all seasons, 
and unless covered with snow, prsenting a beauti- 
ful appeaeance to the eye. It is a great favorite 
with all animals, being very sweet and nutritious. 
From its continuous growth, it is very valuable as 
pasture at all seasons. We have known herds ot 



PASTURAGE. 93 

sheep to live on it and keep in good condition the 
entire Winter, when it is even covered with snow 
which they soon learn to remove with their fore 
feet. Its value for early spring pasture cannot be 
to highly estimated, Every farmer should devote 
one or more fields to its growth. 

Next in importance we shall mention red-top a 
species of the bent-grass, sometimes called English 
grass, and herds' grass. This grass is so well known 
as to require only brief notice. It is more prolific 
in its growth than blue-grass, and partakes some- 
what of its nature. It grows luxurantly on fiat or 
wet lands, and for meadowing purposes, yields a 
heavy crop, which makes good feed for cattle. If 
allowed to grow up after harvest it will afi'ord fine 
pasture during the winter months, and is relished 
much better by stock, than hay. 

These are the only grasses, possessing the prop- 
erties of durability, sweetness and freshness at all 
seasons and that can be recommended for grazing 
purposes the entire year round. 



94 



BREEDING. 
CHAPTER VII. 




The time was, and no very distant period either, 
■when the finest horses on this continent, were to be 



BREEDING. 95 

found m a few of the Eastern States and Canada. 
Connecticut was famous in those daj^s for produ- 
cing the best stock, particularly what might be 
termed fast, Canada took the lead in roadsters, 
carriage and heavy draught horses, from English 
stock. Of late years matters in this respect have 
taken a change, a change brought about, by the en- 
terprize and outlay of large amounts of capital by 
Western and Southern stock-raisers^ who devoted 
their tiine and means in visiting points in the Old 
World noted for its best stock, for which they paid 
large sums of money. What is the result to-day? 
The fact is, that the West, aided by Kentucky and 
Tennessee, are furnishing the principal markets 
in the United States with horses, many of which 
bring fabulous prices, because of their high breed- 
ing, training and adaptability to the purposes in- 
tended. Go to Saratoga, Long Branch, Cape May, 
and all the places of fashionable resort in the coun- 
try. At each of these places and in New York, Bos- 
ton and other cities you will see horses valued at 
from one thousand to five thousand dollars each, 
and many for which, even much larger sums would 
not be accepted. Eemember Dexter at one time 
sold for over $30,000. Why is this? Thirty years 
ago or less some of the best horses in the West 
would not bring over, say one hundred an fifty dol- 
lars, others not even one-fourth the amount, and 
they were dear at that. The aggregate value of 
horses in the United States, is in this 3^ear of grace 
(1872) increased more than ten fold over twenty 
years ago. No other species of stock has made in 
proportion so rapid an advance. 

Stock raisers of the West, this is a subject wor- 
thy of your consideration. It is just as eas}^ to 



96 THE HORSE. 

raise a good animal as a poor one, and believing 
that 3^ou profit by it, we will give you a few hints 
on "breeding." 

The selection of a horse from which to breed, and 
the purpose for which the offspring is intended, 
must both be considered. It is a trite adage, that 
like begets like, and if true, as admitted, it is a self- 
evident fact, that to have good horses, we must 
have the best stock to start with. By the term best, 
we mean not only size, muscular developement, 
symetr}^ action, color, temper (fee, but the pedigree 
of ancestry ought to be looked to, and in no case 
should relationship exist between the dam and sire. 
This latter is as important in the brute as in the 
human creation. The matter of breeding in and 
in, as it is termed, deteroriates the product so rap- 
idly, that in a few years, if persisted in, would run 
out the best stock in the countrv. Great care is 
therefore necessary in this respect. Care should 
also be taken to have the temper of both animals 
at the time of copulation in as placid a state as 
possible. Neither should be handled rashly, fret- 
ted or annoyed, for, according to the adage before 
quoted, the oftspring is liable to be of vicious tem- 
per, unmanageable and unsafe, if not worthless. 

It is a well known fact, that the owners of stal- 
lions, from mere avarice to make a few dollars, al- 
low their horses to serve as many mares as they 
can hunt up in a neighborhood. The offspring of 
such must consequently be rickety, half-formed, 
feeble animals, or probably none at all, which 
would be better. To raise healthy, vigorous 
strong colts, no horse should be allowed to run to 
more than a mare every other day. The practice 
here assigned is why only a few of the colts gotten 



BREEDING. OT 

by blooded stallions partake of the perfect quali- 
ties of the sire. It differs but little as to the excel- 
lent condition of the dam, when the productive 
powers of the horse are exhausted, the progeny 
will be a failure. We venture the assertion, with- 
out fear of successful contradiction, that if our sug- 
gestions in this respect are heeded that a more per- 
fect offspring will be the result, and a failure to 
impregnate of rare occurrance. And in this con- 
nection we will state a fact well known to students 
of physiology, and for the correction of which we 
can vouch, from an experience of o ver twent}^ years, 
observation, that in the art of copulation, the ani- 
mal most designs, will beget the sex of the off- 
spring — if the sire, the colt will be a horse, or vice 
versa; so, if the physical powers of the horse are 
over- taxed as they too frequentl3^ are, and the mare 
warm and ambitious, the progeny in nine cases 
out of every ten, will be a mare colt These re- 
sults are so certain, that the breeder may with al- 
most unerring assurance secure the sex most de- 
sired. 

But to return more directly to our subject. It is 
a strange fact, that while the most thrifty farmers 
will have the best seeds he *can procure, yet in 
breeding, with rare exceptions, and this will apply 
to all descriptions of farm animal, that any old, 
broken down, ring-bone, spavined, coarse-haired, 
ill-spoken horse, provided he is only sleek and fat, 
will be selected to breed from, because a few dol- 
lars will procure his service. This, to say the best 
of it, is miserable economy. What will the pro- 
duct, if any, be worth? — nothing; which, on the 
other hand, if three, four, or even five times the 
amount is paid for the service of a good horse, if 



98 THE HORSE. 

his energies are not over-taxed, the result wUl be 
an animal, that will be a credit to his owner, who 
may well feel a pride in riding or driving him, and 
for which he can always obtain ready sale and a 
fair price. Breeding from good stock is always 
profitable, while the contrar}^ is actual loss. 

It is important that mares should be put to the 
horse at such a time as to have colts come the lat- 
ter part of April or early in May, when the weath- 
er is more pleasant and grass is begining to grow; 
both the mare and colt will do better than at an 
earlier season and be confmed on dry feed. It is 
well known to most farmers and stock raisers, that 
from the time of putting a mare to the horse until 
she brings forth her offspring, frequentlj^ varies. 
The usual time is eleven months; some will even 
run a month over, while others produce fully de- 
veloped foals in ten months. A young mare, or 
one which has not had a foal the previous year 
should be put to the horse, 

The principle qualities in a mare to constitute a 
good breeder, are as essential as in the horse. The 
form of body, length and breadth between the hips 
and shoulders are important points. A little nar- 
row bodied animal should never be bred from. 
The reason is obvious, and needs no argument to 
any man of common sense. 

When a mare is dull, of sluggish habit, but pos- 
sessing all the other good points necessary, she 
should be put to a horse of more than ordinary am- 
bition and vivacity. This will contract the lack of 
life in the dam and the product generally possesses 
a fair degree of life, spirit and action. If on the 
other hand, the mare is of to lively a disposition, 
select a horse ol mere docile temperament and the 



BREEDING. 99 

same result is obtained. 

It is not desirable in any case, unless the object 
is to breed small animals to put a mare to an 
undersized. 

The proper age at which a mare may be used for 
breeding purposes is four years, some stock raisers 
commenceearlier. Indeed, we have known them even 
at two, but more frequently at three. This is wrong 
for the offspring is not only deficient in its mature 
powers but it generally results in breaking the 
spirit of the dam, stops her growth, causes her to 
be dull and stupid and mars her symmetry. As to 
how long it is advisable that a mare should be kept 
to breeding, depends much on her health and usual 
condition, and the number of colts she has had 
already. If in her early years she has not bred, 
she will do good service until she is fifteen. We 
have known some, to produce colt sat even a great- 
er age ; while others who have had colts regularly 
every year for four years up, broke dow^n and be- 
came unfit for breeding at eight or nine. When 
good stock is the object, it is better not to risk 
a mare, unless very healthy, after she attains her 
ninth year. When she is known to be in season. 
Mares that have just had colts, will take the horse 
again in from eight to nine days, some sooner, ac- 
cording to condition. The most experienced stock 
men contend that a mare, if attended, after she 
comes in season to run a few days beyond, is liable 
to loose her heat; or if she should continue to a 
period, she becomes reduced by nursing her foal 
to such a degree, that her powers of conception 
may become dormant. Thus it will be seen, that 
it is safer not to let her go at furthest, beyond the 
tenth or eleventh day from the time of foaling, A 



100 THE HORSE. 

mare often being put to the horse the first time^ 
lest her conception may not be perfect, should at- 
tend the horse in nine days there after, when if her 
heat still continues, she must make regular weekly 
attendance for not less than three weeks thereafter. 
Care should be taken during this period to give 
her only moderate work, as with hard labor or fast 
driving, she is liable to cast the conception. Run- 
ning with other horses in afield: where she is lia- 
able to be kicked, or to exercise to much, plowing 
in roots or stony land, subjecting her to sudden 
jerks, heavy and straining draught, or anything 
calculated to shock the nervous system, or cause 
unusual excitement should all be a\oided, as fully 
to cause a casting of the conception, or in more 
advanced stages miscariage. 

When the time of foaling arrives the mare 
should not be kept in the stable. If the weather 
is favorable, a dry even pasture, free from logs, 
stones or deep cuts, is most suitable. In this 
event of bad weather, around a straw stack, where 
the ground is dry and has not been too much 
tramped by other stock, will answer very well. 
After foaling she acquires care, some nourishing 
soft food to bring her to milk, and for at least two 
weeks should not be workd and even then, and af- 
ter for two months only gently. By this treatment 
she soon acquires her strength, and the colt be- 
comes vigorous and strong, It is a bad practice 
and damageing to the colt, to allow it to follow its 
dam on a hard road. Better far keep it at home 
in a well enclosed lot, where it can receive no inju- 
ry. If a colt has been well kept and is healthy 
and strong, it should not be allowed to run with the 
mare after it is six months old, some wean at five 



BREEDING. 101 

months; but we reccommend the larger period. It 
is best in weaning to keep the mare and colt as 
much apart as possible, the colt in a well fenced 
lot, where he can receive no injury, as he will be 
fretful and uneasy for a few days. 

We adopt the opinion of the most experienced 
stock raisers in the country, that colts should not 
be stabled in the winter until they are two years old, 
when it becomes necessary to handle them in order 
to breaking. It is much better to keep them in a 
dry pasture having an open shed, well littered to 
stand in at pleasure and take their feed. No corn 
should be given to a colt, unless cracked and even 
little of that. Do not feed harsh dry hay. It 
should be borne in mind that a colts mouth is very 
tender and that he cannot masticate such strong 
stuff. Well saved green hay, with a little oats once 
a day is very suitable food, and should be given 
out of a manger raised some three feet or more 
from the floor, so that he may not have to stoop be- 
low the natural elevation of his head to eat. His 
manger should be rather above, than too low, as it 
tends much toward forming a good carriage. 



102 



THE HOKSE. 



CrAPTER, VIII. 



GENERAL MANAGEMENT, BREAKING 
AND TRAINING. 




\Km^W 



103 
TO THROW A HORSE. 

To little care is frequently taken in throwing 
horses, which often results in injury to the animal. 
To effect this purpose carefully, obserye the follow- 
ing directions, and the work is easily accomplished 
and with perfect safety. Apparatus — haye a cir- 
cingle made of good strong leather, from two to 
four inches wide, sewing a buckle to one end. Then 
rings are to be attached to the circingle in the fol- 
lowing manner: First ring is four inches from the 
buckle; 2d. one inch from the first on the back 
edge; 3d. six inches from 2d.; this ring is used, to 
strap the left fore foot too. The fourth ring six 
inches from third, placed on the back edge. The 
fifth and sixth are used to bring up and fasten right 
fore foot, and to draw the horses head around to 
side; place fifth ring fiye inches from fourth; sixth 
three inches from the fifth, next, small ring two 
inches from sixth on front edge; next eight inches 
from seyenth one the back edge; next nine inches 
from the eighth ; next three inches from ninth on 
back edge; next one inch from eleyenth on back 
edge. The 2d. and 7th. rings, are attached to front 
edge and used for bringing the animals head on 
his side, when performing surgical operations. The 
first, fourth, eighth, tenth and twelfth are attached 
to back edge, to fasten both hind feet to when nec- 
essary. 

Buckle this circingle on your horse; attaching a 
crooperto ring nine, on the back edge, with a ring 
sewed on the hips firm. Take the shank end of bit- 
ting machine and pass it through six, the ring on 
right side and ring on crooper. Then haye two 
straps, with buckles sewed on, strap up the left fore 



104 THE HORSE. 

leg to the eighth ring from the buckle. Stand rath- 
er back of 3^our horse on the left side and pull the 
halter shank when he must come down with his 
back towards you. 

Caress the animal by kind words and patting 
with your hand for a short time, when you have 
him in position to perform any operation neces- 
sary, such as extracting wolf or blind teeth, cas- 
trating ike, without danger of his releasing him- 
self. 

NEW BITTING MACHINE, 

In the first handling of a colt, it is important that 
all your appliances be perfect, that the animal may 
not be unnecessarily fretted or even excited. The 
bitting machine is to be applied, and of all those in 
use, the following I have found the most simple 
and effectual: 

Take a well tAvisted cord of either hemp or cot- 
ton, about twenty feet long and about as thick as a 
pencil on one end tie a boler knot, leaving the loop 
sufficiently large to slip around the under jaw of the 
horse. Then pass your hand through the loop and 
catch the cord and pull it through far enough to 
form a halter ; then slip the halter over the head, 
and the loop around jaw, with the shank toward you. 
Now throw the headstall back of the mane, near 
the shoulder, placing it well under the hair, drawing 
the shank gradually, but firml}^, until the animals, 
neck is sufficiently bowed to look graceful. If he 
submits to this quietly tie a slip knot under the 
jaw and let him remain in that position for about 
ten minutes. Should he become fretful, or attempt 
to rear or throw himself, by a sudden jerk of the 



PULLING ON THE HALTER OR BRIDLE. 105 

halter shank, loose your slip knot, and let his head 
down, speaking kindly until he becomes calm, when 
you can by tightening the cord, again draw his head 
up as before. By sl daily repetition of this course 
for some time, your colt will soon become sensible 
of the power of the bit, tractable and easily han- 
dled afterwards. 



TO LEARN A HOESE TO LEAD BEHIND 
A VEHICLE. 

Many so called trained horses refuse to be led, 
by a man on another animal or behind a wagon. 
To train a horse to lead well, adopt the following 
in his early lessons : 

Take the bitting machine named in the previous 
aVticle, putting it on in the form of a halter, run- 
ning the shank on the off side and across the loins 
to the near side, then under the tail, and pass it 
back across the loins and up through the loop un- 
der the tail: then take the shank in your hand, get 
into a wagon or on a horse and lead right off. The 
pressure of the cord under the tail and on the nerve 
of the jaw, causes him to move forward without the 
slightest resistance. 

PULLING ON THE HALTER OR BRIDLE. 

Many horses have a practice of pulling on their 
halter or bridle when tied in the stable, or hitched, 
when abroad, and thus get loose to the imminent 
risk of the vehicle to which they are attached, by 
running off. To the owners of such animals I rec- 
commend the following treatment : 



106 THE HORSE. 

Put on the bitting machine as recommended in 
the preceeding artic*le, treating on the subject of 
teaching a horse to lead behind a vehicle. Hitch 
him to a post or tree and let him pull until he stops 
of his own accord, which will not be Yer3^1ong. If 
the treatment is not disagreeable, so as to cause 
him to pull, twitch him up quietly, and make him 
pull until he is satisfied. 

TO TEACH A HOKSE TO FOLLOW. 

Put on the bitting machine named in the precee- 
ding article, in the form of a halter, taking hold of 
the shank nearl}^ up to the jaw; stepping a little to 
one side say, '-come here sir," at the same time 
gentl}' pulling on the shank; then change your po- 
sition to the opposite side and address him as be- 
fore, repeating the lesson several times. A roomy 
barn where there is nothing to attract the animals 
attention, is the best place to operate in. A few 
such lessons, given at intervals of leisure will train 
3^our horse to perfection. 

TO BREAK A HORSE FROM JUMPING 
FENCES. 

No animal gives more trouble to the farmer than 
a breechy horse, indeed to some, the best fences 
are no impediment to this roaming wherever they 
please. To prevent this, adopt the following plan : 

Take a strong strap or circingle, with a ring firm- 
ly attached, so as to come under the animals belly 
when fastened around the body. Then take a 
strong strap with a buckle at each end, first fas- 
tening one end around one of the animals fore legs 



TO BREAK HOKSLS OF KICKING IN HARNESS. 107 

below the knee ; then pass the other end through 
the ring in the circingle and buckle the other end 
around the other fore leg in the same manner as 
the first- Have a second strap of equal length, 
with a buckle sewed to each end^ fasten one end 
around the hind fetlock, pass the other through 
the ring under the circingle and fasten to the other 
fetlock in like manner, when the horse walks, the 
strap slides to and fro in the ring. This will pre- 
vent any horse from jumping, no difference how 
old an adept he may be in the practice. It will 
not however, interfere with his traveling over th e 
pasture to obtain food. 



TO BREAK HORSES OF KICKING IN 
HARNESS. 

A horse that kicks in harness is most unsafe and 
should never be used for family purposes until 
thoroughly cured of this dangerous practice. Man- 
V remedies have been tried, but, none have I vet 
found so efficacious as the following, by which I 
have cured many "hard cases," some of whom have 
smashed more buggies than their heads were worth. 

Use the circingle described in the foregoing 
article, and take two strong straps, just of sufficient 
length, with four rings firmly attached, one to each 
hind leg at the fetlock ; then take a strong rope 
about six feet long, tie a knot to one end, and run 
the other through the rings on the hind foot, then 
draw the rope through the rings of the strap on 
the other hind foot; draw the rope sufficiently 
tight to prevent his kicking, but not so much so as 
to interfere with his walking freely. Knot the 



# 

108 THE HOKSE. 

rope so as to fasten it in that position, and cut off 
any there may be left after the knot is tied. Now 
take a small strap or cord, fastening one end in the 
ring of the circingie and the other to the bridle-bit, 
leaving him room to pull, but in the event of his 
kicking so tight as to check on the bit. This rem- 
edy never fails in the most obstinate cases, when 
properly applied to break horses after a few les- 
sons. 

BREAKING RUNAWAY HORSES. 

Next to the kicking horse, the runaway horse is 
most dreaded; he is always unsafe, never to be re- 
lied upon, and especially dangerous when used in 
buggy or family carriages; the following method 
of treatment will effectually break any horse of the 
practice. 

Put on the circingie, first attaching a ring on 
each side opposite the lower part of the horses 
shoulder. Take two short straps with rings, same 
as used for kicking horses, and tasten them around 
the forelegs above the fetlock joint; then procure 
a rope about twenty-five feet in length; pass each 
end of the rope through the rings in the circingie 
and likewise through the rings in the straps on the 
fore leg, drawing tolerably tight, but giving lib- 
erty to walk, tie the ends fast by knotting, so that 
they will not repass through the rings. Now hitch 
the runawa}' to a wagon beside another horse hav- 
ing on the usual check lines which must be held 
by a second party, another holding to rope before 
named, which acts as an independent rein. Let 
the party holding the regular reins order the team 
on, when should the runaway attempt to run, the 



TQ CURE A HOKSE OF BALKING. l09 

person holding the rope line, by a sudden pull can 
throw him on his knees, or probably flat on the 
ground. Let him recover himself, and each time 
he attempts to run, serve him in like manner. Ee- 
peat this treatment, and you will give the most in- 
corrigible runaway a distaste for his bad practice. 

TO CURE A HORSE OF BALKING. 

The cause ot a horse balking is generally owing to 
his early training, and is more of his tutor's fault, in 
loosing his temper, administering harsh treatment, 
than the animals. A horse will appreciate kind- 
ness, by which you gain his confidence and even 
break him of many vicious habits. Ahorse that has 
been badly handled and become a constant balker, 
must be treated kindly and carefully, when his dis- 
position in this respect may be easily overcome. 

Take and old balker and put on him the bitting 
machine and his harness, rolling the shank of the 
former to within about two feet of the jaw around 
3'Our left hand, and with your right grasp firmly 
his tail winding it around your hand tightly, which 
places him entirely under 3^our control. While thus 
holding him, commence pulling with all 3^our 
strength on his tail, and with such force on the hal- 
ter shank as may be necessary to swing him each 
time around, repeating the exercise quick and often 
until the horse becomes dizzy, which may be as- 
certained by his actions. Immediately hitch him 
to a wagon on the ofi side with a steady horse and 
drive gently. Should he show aiw disposition to re- 
fuse his work, unhitch and repeat the swinging pro- 
cess. It is better not to load heavy until perfectly 
cured of his balking propensities. 



110 THE HORSE. 



SUPPOSITIONS ON THE SENSE OF 
SMELLING. 

We might very naturally suppose from the fact 
of the horse's applying his nose to everj^thing new 
to him, that he does so for the purpose of smelling 
these objects. But I believe that it is as much or 
more for the purpose of feeling, and that he makes 
use ofhis nose, or muzzle, (as it is sometimes call- 
ed,) as we would of our hands; because it is the 
only organ by which he can touch or feel anything 
with much susceptibility. 

I believe that he invariably makes use of the four 
sences, seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling, 
ill all of his examinations, of which the sense of 
feeling is, perhaps, the most important. And I 
think that in the experiment with the robe, his 
griidual approach and final touch with his nose, 
was as much for the purpose of feeling as anything 
else; his sense of smell being so keen, that it would 
not be necessary for him to touch his nose against 
anything in order to get the proper scent; for, it is 
said, a horse can smell a man the distance of a mile. 
And, if the scent of the robe was all that was nec- 
essary, he could get that several rodsolf. But, we 
know from experience that if a horse sees and 
smells a robe a short distance from him, he is very 
much frightened (unless he is used to it,) until he 
touches or feels it with his nose; which is a pos- 
itive proof that feeling is the controlling sense in 
this case. 



GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE. Ill 

I^REYAILING OPINION OF HOESEMEN. 

"It is a preyailing opinion among horsemen gen- 
erally that the sense of smell is the governing sense 
of the horse. And Faucher, as well as others, have 
with that view got up recipes of strong smelling 
oils, etc., to tame the horse, sometimes using the 
chestnut of his leg, which they dry, grind into pow- 
der, and blow into his nostrils. Sometimes using 
the oil of rhodium organum, etc., that are noted 
lor their strong smell. And sometimes they scent 
the hand with the sweat from under the arm, or 
blow their breath into his nostrils, etc., etc. All of 
which, as far as the scent goes, have no effect what- 
ever in gentling the horse, or conveying any idea 
to his mind; though the works that accompany 
these efforts — handling him, touching him about 
the nose and head, and patting him, as they dir«ect 
you should, after administering the articles, may, 
have a very great effect, which they mistake to be 
the effect of the ingredients used. 

Now, reader, can you, or any one else, give one 
single reason how scent can convey any idea to the 
horse's mind of what we want him to do? If not, 
then, of course, strong scents of any kind are of no 
account in taming the unbroken horse, For every- 
thing that we get him to do of his own accord with- 
out force, must be accomplished by some means of 
conveying our ideas to his mind. I say to my 
horse, "go-'long!' and he goes; "ho!" and he stops; 
because those two words of which he has learned 
the meaning by the tap ol the whip and the pull of 
the rein that first accompanied them, convey the 
two ideas to his mind of go and stop. 

Faucher, or no one else, can ever learn the horse 



112 THE HOKSE. 

a single tiling by means of scent alone. 

How long do you suppose a horse would have to 
stand and smell a bottle of oil before he would learn 
to bend his keee and make a bow at }■ our bidding, 
"go yonder and bring my hat," or '-come here and 
lay down?" Thus 3'ou see the absurdit}^ of trying 
to break or tame the horse by means of recipes for 
articles to smell of, or medicine to give him, of any 
kind whatever. 

The only science that has ever existed in the 
world relative to breaking horses, that has been of 
au}^ account, is that true method which takes 
them in their native state, and improves their in- 
telligence." 

POWELL'S SYSTEM OF APPROACHING 
THE COLT. 

But, before we go further, Twill give you Willis 
J. Powell's system of approaching a wild colt, as 
given by him in a work published in Europe, about 
the year 1814, on the "Art of taming wild horses." 
He says, "A horse is gentled by my secret, in from 
two to sixteen hours." He goes on to say: "Cause 
your horse to be put in a small yard, stable, or room. 
If in a stable or room, it ought to be large in order to 
give him some exercise with the halter before 3^ou 
lead him out. If the horse belongs to that class 
which only appears to fear man, you must intro- 
duce yourself gently into the stable, room, or yard 
w^here the horse is. He will naturally run from 
you, and frequent!}' turn his head from you; but 
you must walk about extremely slow and softly, so 
that he can ser 3'ou whenever he turns his head to- 
wards you, which he never fails to do in a short 



GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. 113 

time, say in a quarter or half an hour, I never 
knew one to be much longer without turning to- 
wards me. 

" At the verj^ moment he turns his head, hold out 
your left hand towards him, and stand perfectly 
still, keeping your eyes upon the horse, watching 
his motions if he makes any. If the horse does 
not stir for ten or fifteen minutes, advance as slow- 
ly as possible, and without making the least noise, 
always holding out your left hand, without any oth- 
er ingredient in it, than what nature put in." He 
says, "I have made use of certain ingredients before 
people such as the sweat under my arm, etc., to dis- 
guise the secret, and many believed that the docil- 
ity to which the horse arrived in so short a time, 
was owing to these ingredients ; but you see from 
this explanation that they were of no use whatever. 
The implicit faith placed in these ingrdients, though 
innocent of themselves, become 'faith without 
works.' And thus men remained always in doubt 
concerning this secret. If the horse makes the 
least motion when you advance towards him, stop 
and remain perfectly still until he is quiet. Remain 
a few minutes in this condition, and then advance 
again in the same slow and almost imperceptible 
manner. Take notice, if the horse stirs, stop with- 
out changing your position. It is very uncommon 
for the horse to stir more than once after you begin 
to advance, yet there are exceptions. He general- 
ly keeps his e3^es steadfast on you, until you get 
near enough to touch him on the forehead. When 
you are thus near him, raise slowly, and by degrees 
your hand, and let it come in contact with that part 
just above the nostrils as lightly as possible. If 
the horse flinches, (as many will) repeat with 



114 THE HORSE. 

great rapidity these light strokes upon the fore- 
head, going a little farther up towards his ears by 
degrees, and descending with the same rapidity 
until he will let you handle his forehead all over. 
Now let the strokes be repeated with more force 
over all his forehead, descending by lighter strokes 
to each side of his head, until you can handle that 
part with equal facility. Then touch in the same 
light manner, making your hands and lingers play 
around the lower part of the horse's ears coming 
down now and then to his forehead, which may be 
looked upon as the helm that governs all the rest. 

"Having succeeded in handling his ears, advance 
towards the neck, with the same precautions, and 
in the same manner; observing always to augment 
the force of the strokes whenever the horse will per- 
mit it. Perform the same on both sides of the 
neck, until he lets you take it in your arms without 
flinching. 

"Proceed in the same progressive manner to the 
sides, and then to the back of the horse. Every 
time the horse shows any nervousness return im- 
mediately to the forehead as the true standard, 
patting him with your hands, and from thence rap- 
idly to where you had already arrived, always gain- 
ing gi'ound a considerable distance farther on ev- 
ery time this happens. The head, ears, neck and 
bod}^ being thus gentled proceed from the back to 
the root of the tail. 

"This must be managed with dexterity, as a horse 
is never to be depended on that is skittish about 
the tail. Let your hand fall lightly and rapidly on 
that part next to the body a minute or two and 
then you will begin to give it a slight pull upwards 
every quarter of a minute. At the same time you 



115 

continue this handling of him, augment the force 
of the strokes, as 'well as the raising of thetail, un- 
til you can raise it and handle it Avith the greatest 
ease, Tvhich commonl}^ happens in a quarter of an 
hour in most horses; in others almost immediately, 
and in some longer. It now remains to handle all 
his legs; from the tail come back again to the 
head, handle it well, as likewise the ears, breast, 
neck, etc., speaking now and then to the horse. Be- 
gin by degrees to descend to the legs, always as- 
cending and descending, gaining ground every 
time 3'ou descend until you get to his feet. 

*'Talk to the horse in Latin, Greek, French, Eng- 
lish, or Spanish, or any language you please; but 
let him hear the sound of your voice, which at the 
beginning of the operation is not quite so necessa- 
ry, but which I have always done in making him 
lift up his feet. Hold up your foot — 'Live la pied' 
— 'Alza el pie'— 'Aron ton poda,' etc., at the same 
time lift his with your hand. He soon becomes fa- 
miliar with the sounds, and will hold up his foot at 
command. Then proceed to the hind feet and go 
on in the same manner, and in short time the horse 
will let you lift them and even take them up in your 
arms. 

"All this operation is no magnetism, no galvan 
ism ; it is merely taking away the fear a horse gen- 
erally has of a man, and familiarizing the animal 
with his master; as the horse doubtless experiences 
a certain pleasure from this handling, he will soon 
become gentle under it, and show a very marked 
attachment to his keeper." 



/ 



116 THE HORSE. 

EEMARKS ON POWELL'S TREATMENT 
HOW TO GOVERN HORSES OF ANY KIND. 

r 

These instructions are very good, but not quite 
sufficient for horses of all kinds, and for haltering 
and leading the colt. He speaks only on the kind 
that fear man. 

To those who understand the phylosophy of 
hoisemanship, these are the easiest trained; for 
when we have a horse that is wild and lively, we 
can train him to our will in a very short time; for 
they are generally quick to learn, and always ready 
to obey. But there is another kind that are of a 
stubborn or vicious disposition, and although they 
are not wild, and do not require taming, in the sense 
it is generallv understood, they are just as igno- 
rant as a wild horse, if not more so, and need to be 
learned just as much; and in order to have them 
obey quickly, it is very necessary that they should 
be made to fear their masters; for in order to ob- 
tain perfect obedience from any horse, we must first 
have him fear us, for our motto is /ear, love and 
oheij\ and we must have the fulfilment of the first 
two, before we can expect the latter, and it is by 
our phylosophy of creating fear, love and confidence 
that we govern to our will every kind of a horse 
whatever. 

Then, in order to take horses as we find them, of 
all kinds, and to train them to our likings, we will 
always take with us, when we go into the stable to 
train a colt, a long switch whip, (whale-bone bug- 
gy whips are the best,) with a good silk cracker, 
60 as to cut keen, and make a sharp report, w^hich 
if handled with dexterit}^ and rightly applied, ac- 
companied with a sharp fierce, word, will be suffi- 



GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. 117 

cient to enliven the spirits of any horse. With 
this whip in your right hand with the lash pointing 
backward, enter the stable alone. It is a great 
disadvantage, in training a horse to have any one 
in the stable with you ; you should be entirely a- 
lone, so as to have nothing but yourself to attract 
his attention. If he is wild you will soon see him 
on the opposite side of the stable from you; and 
now is the time to use a little judgment. I would 
not want, for myself, more than a half or three- 
quarters of an hour to handle any colt, and have 
him running about in the stable after me; though 
I would advise a new beginner to take more time, 
and not be in too much of a hurry. If you have 
but one colt to gentle, and are not particular about 
the length of time 3'^ou spend, and have not had 
any experience in handling colts, I would advise 
you to take Mr. Powell's method at first, till you 
gentle him, which he says, takes from two to six 
hours." 

HORSE TALK. 

If you desire jour horse to answer "^^es" or "no" 
by a nod or shake of the head, proceed as follows : 

Take a sharp pin or needle between your finger 
and thumb, and when you desire him to respond 
"yes" to some intrrogatory, prick him slil}^ low 
down on the breast, and he will knod his head, you 
repeating audibl}^ "yes." When you desire him to 
say "no," prick him on the withers, you repeating 
in the same manner "no." By frequent repetition 
of this practice, 3^our horse will soon learn to nod 
in response to "yes" or shake his head at "no." 



CHAPTER IX. 



POINTS OF THE HORSE. 

The following cuts intended to represent the 
points of horses, and fix in the mind a correct mod- 
el by which to obtain a knowledge of their good 
qualities, with the accompanying description of the 
cuts and comments upon the same; we copy from 
Wells <fe Fowler's admirable work on domestic ani- 
mals. 

"Every one who has anything to do with the horse 
should know something of the 'points' by means of 
which a good animal is distinguished trom a bad 
one. It is necessary to understand this, no matter 
for what particular service the horse may be requir- 
ed; and the qualities indicated by these points are 
universal in all breeds. 

"To illustrate this subject and teach the unin- 
structed how to correctly judge the horse, we in- 
troduce the accompanying lettered outlines. 

"It is evident that to be a good judge of a horse, 
one must have in his memory a model by which to 
try all that may be presented to his criticism and 
judgment. 

"Fig 1 represents such a model. It is a thor- 
oug-bred horse, in which the artist has endeavored 
to avoid every fault. Fig. 2 is designed to represent 
118 



POINTS OF HORSES. 119 

a horse in which everj" good point is suppressed. 
It may not be common to see a horse totally des- 
titute of every good point; but injudicious breed- 
ing has so obliterated the good one, that the cut 
fig. 2 is not a caricature, though we confess that 
its original is little less than a caricature on the true 
ideal of a horse. Such a head is common, so is 
such a shoulder, such a back, quarters, and legs; 
and if the}^ are not very often all combined in one 
animal, they are, unfortunately, often found distrib- 
uted among the common breeds in such abundance 
as to mar the beautj^ and the service of three quar- 
ters of all the horses in ordinary use. The letters 
are alike in both figures, and will enable the reader 
to draw a comparison between the respective points 
of each. 

''The most important part of all is probably the 
direction of the shoulder, from A to B. Next to 
this, the length from the hip to the hock, C to D. 
The point wbicli next to these probably most con- 
tributes to speed and easy going, is the shortness 
of the canon bone between the knee and the pastern 
joint, E to F, a point without which no leg is good. 
A horse which has all these three points good wall 
necessarily and infallibly stand over a great deal of 
ground, W to X, that is, the distance between his 
fore and hind feet will be great; while one which 
is deficient in all of them, or indeed, in the two 
first, will as assuredly stand like a goat with all its 
feet gathered under him, and will never be either a 
fast horse or safe under saddle. A horse, not in 
motion, may be more speedily judged of by this 
feature than by any other. One consequence of a 
fine receding shoulder is to give length in the hu- 
merus, or upper arm, from B to P, without^ which a 



120 



THE HORSE. 



great stride can hardly be attained, but wliich will 




seldom if ever l>e found wanting if the shoulder- 
blade be well placed. A prominent and fleshy 
chest is admired b}' some, probably because they 
think it indicative of powerful lungs and room for 
their use. We object to it as adding to what is de- 




POINTS OF HOKSES. 121 

sirable to avoid — the weight to be lifted forward 
in the act of progression — while all the space the 
lungs require is to be obtained by depth instead of 
breadth, as from A to H, in which point, if a horse 
be defficient, he will seldom be fit for fast work. The 
other points which we have marked for comparison 
are G to E, or the width of the leg immediate!}' be- 
low the knee, which in a well-formed leg will be equal 
all the way down ; in a bad one it will be narrowish 
immediately below the knee, or what is called 'tied 
in.' The shape of the neck is more important than 
might at first thought be supposed, as afi'ecting 
both the wind and the handiness of the mouth ; no 
horse with a faulty neck and a head ill-attached to 
it, as at Q to Kin fig. 2, ever possesses a good or 
manageable mouth. The points of the face are not 
without significance, a feebly developed counte- 
nance generally showing weakness of courage if 
not of constitution. We therefore like to see a 
large and bony protuberance above the eye, as at 
L in fig. 1, giving the appearance of a sinking im- 
mediately below, followed by a slightly Eoman or 
protruding inclination toward the nose. These when 
present are generall}' signs of 'blood,' which is in 
some proportion or other a quality without which 
no breed of horses will ever improve or long entitle 
itself to rank as other than a race of drudges, fit 
only for sand or manure carts. 

"Bearing these points in mind, you may, b}' obser- 
ving and comparing the difierent animals which 
fall under your eyes, soon qualify yourself to give 
an intelligent opinion of a horse. One cannot be- 
come perfect in this branch of knowledge in a week 
or in a j^ear. Certainly no careful student of this 
little book will allow himself to be imposed upon 



122 



THE HORSE. 



fig. 3. 



in the purchase of an animal having many of the 
bad points represented in fig. 2. The perfect horse 
(fig. 1) you will not expect to meet every day. 

A badl}'- formed horse is not profitable for any 
purpose; because, if so formed, they are either clum- 
s}\ inactive, dull in mind, or tender and easily bro- 
ken down. It costs just as much to breed, raise, 
and keep a poor horse as a good one, and the poor 
one is low in value and unsalable: besides, he is 
unable to do good service in any sphere, or to en- 
dure. 

"We copy from Lavater six heads of horses, 
which indicate diflferent tem- 
peraments and a great diversi- 
ty^ ol character and disposition, 
''fig. 3 has a slow, heav}' tem- 
perament; is without spirit, 
^wawkward in motion, lazy, stu- 
|vpid in intellect, difificult to 
teach, bears the whip and needs 
it. though it is soon forgotten. 
He is too laz}' to hold up his 
ears or under lip, and is a 
regular bog-necked, heavy- 
footed animal. 

"fisr. 4 has more intelli- 
gence and spirit, a more 
active temperament, and is 
disposed to anger, will not 
bear the whip, and shows 
his anger, when teased or 
irritated, in a bold direct 
onset with the teeth. 

''fig. 5 is a very active temperament; is a quick, 
keen, active, intelligent animal, but is sly, cunning, 





POINTS OF HORSES* 



123 




mischievous, and trickish ; 
will be hard to catch in the 
field, inclined to slip the bri- 
dle, will be a great shirk in 
double harness, and will require 
a sharp eye and steady hand to 
drive him, and will want some- 
thing besides a frolicsome boy 
for a master. 

fig. 6 "Fig. 6 is obstinate, head- 

strong, easily irritated, de- 
ceitful, and savage; will be 
hard to drive, unhandy, un- 
yielding, sour-tempered, bad 
to back, inclined to balk, 
disposed to fight and crowd 
his mate, and bite and kick 
his driver. 

"fig 7 has a noble, proud 
disposition, and a lofty, 
stately carriage, but he is 
timid, restive, and easily irritated and thrown off 
his mental balance. Such horses should be used 
b}^ steady, calm men, and on roads and in business 
which have little variety, change, or means of ex 
citement. 

fig. 7. fig- S. 






124 



THE HORSE. 



"Fig. 8 is a calm, self-possessed animal, with a 
noble, elevated disposition, trustworthy, courageous 
good-tempered, well adapted to family use, but not 
remarkable for sharpness of mind or activity of 
bodv. 




fig. 9. 

"Figs. 9 and 10 

show a great contrast 
in shape of head, ex- 
pression of counte- 
nance, temperament, 
disposition, and in- 
telligence. The first 
is a most noble ani- 
mal. 

"Fig 9 is broad be- 
tween the eyes, full, 
rounded, and promi- 
nent in the forehead, 
indicating ])enevolence and intellect; broad be- 
tween the ears, showing courage; broad between 
the eyes, evincing quickness of perception, memo- 
ry, and capacity to 
learn. He can be 

taught almost anything, 
can be trusted, and loves 
and trusts man; is not 
timid, will go anywhere, 
and stand without fas- 
tening; never kicks, 
bites, or runs away. 

"Fig. 10 shows a 
marked contrast with 
fig. 9 in almost every respect; his narrow and con- 
tracted forehead shows alack of intelligence, kind- 




POINTS OF HOKSES. 125 

ness, and tractability ; is timid and shy in harness, 
vicious, unfriendly, disposed to kick, bite, balk, or 
run away, and is fit only for a mill or horse-boat. 
For all general uses he should be avoided, and by 
no means should such an organization be employed 
for breeding purposes." 

COLOK. 

"W. C. Spooner, author of se\eral veterinary works, 
has the following remarks on color as a sign of oth- 
er qualities in the horse: 

"We have found both good and bad horses of ev- 
ery color, and the only rule we can admit as cor- 
rect is, that certain colors denote deficient breed- 
ing, and therefore such animal is not likely to be 
so good as he looks, but is probably deficient in 
bottom or the powers of endurance. These colors 
are black, which prevails so much with cart-horses, 
and sorrel, dun, piebald, etc. ; the possessors of 
which come from the North, and possess no Eas- 
tern blood. Black horses, unless evidently high 
bred, are very often soft and sluggish, with breed 
ing insufficient for their work ; the pedigree of the 
majority of them may be dated from the plow-tail, 
whatever admixtures there may have been since. 
White hair denotes a thin skin, which is objection 
able when it prevails on the legs of horses, as such 
animals are more disposed to swelled legs and 
cracked heels than others. Bay horses with black 
legs are greatly esteemed, yet we have known man- 
y determined slugs of this hue. Their constitu- 
tion is however, almost invariably good. Chest- 
nut is the prevailing color with our race-horses, 
and consequently chestnut horses are generally 



126 



THE HORSE. 



pretty well bred, and possess the good and bad 
qualities which obtain most among thorough-breds. 
The Suffolk cart-horse is also distinguished by his 






'liettd 




I 



'Mozzld 






COMMON TERMS DENOTING THE PARTS OF A HORSE, 



light chestnut color; and it is no recommendation 
to find that this breed has, for several years past, 
carried away the principal prizes at the annual 
shows of the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng- 
land. Gray is a very good color, and generally 
denotes a considerable admixture of Eastern blood." 



CHAPTER X. 




CATTLE. 



Among the many developments of our domestic 
commerce, none stand higher in importance than 
cattle raising in this country. In the supply of 
animal food by the United States to the large com- 
munities of the old world, beef comprises a large 

127 



128 CATTLE. 

part. Even from our own continent, especially the 
older settled portions, the demand on the Great 
West, as is evident every day by the immense 
trains laden with stock, passing eastward over our 
principal railroads ; and should prices continue to 
reward the stock raisers, as within the past ten 
years, ending in December 1871, the energies of 
our farmers will be fully taxed to supply the de- 
mand for this article of animal food. Notwith- 
standing this constantly mcreasing demand, we 
find that the supply has not kept pace with it in 
the West. In the States of Ohio, Indiana, Michi- 
gan and Wisconsin according to recent statistics 
the number of cattle is not greater than four to 
one of the population. Illinois is an exception, 
rating somewhat higher; while Texas, since the 
building of the Pacific Railroad, opening an access 
of trade in this great product of her vast prairies 
to the markets of the East, the stock ot cattle is 
estimated at four to one of the population. Texas 
shipped northwest in 1870, two hundred and thir- 
ty-two thousand head of beef cattle. The enor- 
mous number were from the Northern and Central 
parts of the vState, while a vast number in addition 
were shipped by sea. 

The farmers of the North-west, to compete with 
the vast resources of Texas cattle-raisers, when 
land is cheap and fertile, and the severity of eith- 
er unknown — green pasture being abundant at all 
seasons, must secure more valuable breeds of stock. 
They must select animals which, with the same 
average of summer pasture and the same amount 
of winter feeding, will yield beef in greater quanti- 
ty, of finer quality, and of higher market value. 

The more intelligent cattle-raiser in the older 



GOUT. 129 

states have already anticipated this necessity, by 
replacing their common stocks with improved 
breeds ; and so apparent is it that the North-west 
must follow the example in order to keep pace with 
the increasing wealth and progressive civilization, 
which is accumulating and diffusing itself through 
more numerous classes of society, creating a de- 
mand for better food. Thus much as to cattle gen- 
erally, and the importance of improved breeds, we 
shall devote a few pages on the disease to which 
they are subject, their care, breeding, etc., commen- 
cing with 

THE COW. 

The Cow, especially young cows, in condition at 
the time of calving are very subject to a disease 
called gout^ a downfall of the udder. The complaint 
is generally noticed by a swelling and hardness of 
the part attended with fever and pain, when press- 
ed. Secretion of the milk is apt to result, and 
when drawn, is often accompanied by blood or 
completed matter. Frequently the supply of milk 
entirely ceases, when suppuration is certain to fol- 
low. In many cases we have known the hard limbs 
to become swollen and inflamed, reaching fi*om the 
hip to th6 foot. In this condition they are apt to 
get down, with an inability to rise again. 

When the symptoms are at first discovered, bleed- 
ing should be resorted to, taking in quantity, ac- 
cording to the strength of the animal. In twelve 
hours after bleeding, the following maybe given^as 
a purgative. 

Gentian root powdered, half ounce; ginger, pow- 
dered one drachm, Salts, two ounces. Mix with 



130 CATTLE. 

a pint of warm gruel and administer as a drench. 
Repeat in twelve hours. 

Keep the cow on spare diet. Bran or corn-meal 
warm mashes, with but little hay, will suffice for a 
few days. 

In most cases the udder becomes very sore, and 
when in that condition, should be rubbed with an 
ointment composed as follows: 

One pound of soft soap, two ounces of mercurial 
ointment, one ounce of camphor, grated with half 
an ounce of spirits of w inc. Blend well together 
and rub carefully the affected part, alwa3^s after 
milking until a cure is perfected. Care should be 
taken to wash the ointment off well with warm wa- 
ter before milking. In order to keep the bowels 
open and prevent fever or inflammation, continue 
the mashes twice each day until entirely well, also 
applying the ointment if necessary. If the natur- 
al appearance of the udder is not restored by the 
foregoing remedies, and it continues swollen, hard 
and sore, a close examination will become necessa- 
ry, to ascertain whether corrupted matter has not 
formed within, in which event, open a slight incis- 
ion with a sharp pen-knife, and encourage the dis- 
charge by occasional fomentations with warm wa- 
ter. Do not cut the teat cross-wise, but downward. 
It will heal readily. Death sometimes endues from 
mortification. 

WEEDS. 

This complaint in fresh calved cows is frequent, 
and is the result sometimes of an overflow of milk, 
or bad milking. The animal is taken with fits of 
fever and shivering, hanging her head and having 



PARTURITION. 131 

a general dull appearance, refusing food, the udder 
hot and swollen. Prompt measures are neces- 
sary or an abscess is certain to form, keep the bow- 
els open to prevent inflammation and reduce fever. 
Foment the udder with warm water frequently, and 
rub with a mixture of hartshorn and oil — equal 
parts. If the shivering continues, have her cover- 
ed with a warm blanket. 

The following, administered as a drench, fre- 
quently effects speedy cure : 

Powered ginger, half ounce; crawayseed, six 
drams; alspice, half ounce. Mix in quart of warm 
water. 

SORE TEATS. 

This disease is of frequent occurrence, most 
generally after calving, rendering the cow very dif- 
ficult and unpleasant to milk, by the discharge of 
matter from the cracks, passing through the hands 
and into the milk. The following will be found 
an effectual remedy: 

Two ounces of Beeswax, one ounce of Sugar of 
lead, one ounce of alum and six ounces of elder 
ointment. Place over a fire and stir until well mix- 
ed. 

Apply when cold by rubbing the teats each time 
after milking wash in warm water and castile soap 
before. 

PARTURITION. 

The process of calving is usually performed with- 
out diflSculty; sometimes, however, cross presenta- 
tions take place, and sometimes a constriction of 



132 CATTLE. 

parts prevents the natural passage of the calf To 
act properly on these occasions, great patience is 
required and much mildness; many cows have been 
lost by brutal pulling; we have seen all of the men 
and boys of a farm mustered to pull at a rope affix- 
ed about a calf, partly protruded, which, when it 
was thus brought away, was forced to be killed, 
and the mother soon died also, from the protrusion 
of parts this brutal force brought with the calf. 

RELIEF. 

Mares and Cows frequently die in course of par- 
turition, when timely aid would save their lives. In 
hundreds of cases in which I have operated I have 
never yet lost an animal. The difficulties in their 
bringing forth their 3'oung are numerous, seme 
from the dam being to highly fed, others owing to 
weakness, from lack of sufficient nourishment. The 
latter is the most prevalent. 

In mosi cases the young are to weak to turn them- 
selves, as nature intended, they should, to come 
forth with ease. In all such cases there is but one 
remedy, in which two stout men must act as accou- 
cheurs. They should stand the animal, one having 
greased his right hand and arm with lard, the oth- 
er bis left, and standing so that the greased arms 
come together. In this position they force their 
arms gently into the vagina and discover the pos- 
ture of the young. It so happens that the head is 
turned wrong side up, or remains back on its side, 
or the knees remain stiff so they will not straight- 
en, as nature intended. 

Thus when labor and pain comes on, the young 
lodges against the Pelvis bone. Care should be 



CASTING THE FUNDAMENT. 133 

taken not to scratch with the nails. Its proper po- 
sition is head foremost and back upwards. The 
legs should be straight forward, being careful that 
they are under part of the head and not crossed a- 
bove the neck. Then straighten the head. After 
the dam has rested a few minutes you can gradual- 
ty pull and assist when labor is on until the young 
is romoved. After a few minutes you may remove 
the calf-bed by holding the outer part with one 
hand and introducing the other hand gradually 
loosening the internal parts irom the folds, being 
careful not to scratch with your nails ; then grease 
internally by mixing the bulk of a hazlenut of gol- 
den seal with a spoonful of lard, Warm drink 
made of meal partly browned or scorched may be 
given with good effect 

RETENTION OF AFTER BIRTH. 

It sometimes happens that this is retained, be- 
ing attached between folds or lapped around false 
dogs. Treat according to instructions given above. 

CASTING THE FUNDAMENT. 

It frequently occurs, that mares in"^ good condi 
tion, while with foal get foundered. In such cases 
inflammation of the uterus or womb frequently 
takes place, involving the organs of generation and 
in some instances, the kidney and bladder, caus- 
ing intense heat of the parts, which may be felt in 
the rectum. The uterus becomes swollen and in- 
flamed, producing what is termed "falling of the 
womb," and the hinder parts become swollen, pro- 
trude and hang out endangering the life of the an- 



134 CATTLE. 

imal. The cause of this is feeding rotten, mouldy 
fodder or straw, or rotton mouldy corn or oats. 
With the following treatment I have met with 
marked success and most heartily recommend its 
use. 

Take a small bundle of willow sprouts, dry them 
well, burn them to ashes and run them through a 
fine sieve. Wash the fundament well with castile- 
soap and warm water, then sprinkle on the willow 
ashes and turn the fundament back. Tie the tail of 
the cow or mare as the case may be, fast under the 
belly to a circingle, or take a block of wood, bore 
two holes in it, one on each side, fasten it under 
the tail by tying two ropes in it, one on each side, 
then fasten it to the circingle. Let it remain in 
this position for three or four hours. 

A GERMAN CURE FOR THE SAME. 

A beefs morrow bone burnt in the fire and bea- 
ten into fine powder is a good dryer and 
healer, and will cause a new skin to form on any 
wound, when sprinkled on as the case requires, 

AN INDIAN CURE. 
#^ 

In m}^ practice I have thoroughly tested the fol- 
lowing and found it reliable. 

1 teaspoon tul of golden-seal; 1 teaspoonful ot 
gentian. Mix with four ounces of lard. Grease 
the fundament well before turning. Give freely of 
the cleansing powders to regulate the blood and 
liver. 



135 
INDIAN VEGETABLE CANCER CURE. 

It may appear presumptious in a man of my 
humble abilities to meddle in a matter in which 
learned surgeons, in the different parts of the 
world so widely differ, and in which almost all fail 
to effect a cure, of that dreadful malad}^ to the hu- 
man family known as cancers. However, I enter 
the field of competition, being satisfied that in nine 
cases out of every ten, the following remed^^, if ap- 
plied in time, and the preparation made according 
to my directions, that it will have the desired result. 
I am thus confident, knowing at this time of over 
fifty cures being effected by its application. 

Take a large bunch of sour sheep sorrel, wash, 
put into a clean linen towel and bruise thoroughly; 
then squeeze out the juice with a pair of clamps, 
letting it drop on a piece of new zinc. Set the 
zinc in a shad}^ place until the juice dries to the 
consistency of a salve, then scrape off and put in a 
vial for use. Spread the salve thinly on a piece of 
fine linen, and apply to the part affected twice a 
day. 

In a short time the cancer will be seen to sepa- 
rate from the healthy flesh, but continue the plas- 
ter until it comes out by the root. Then apply a 
salve composed as follows : 

Sheep suet, 2 ounces; fresh butter, 2 ounces; 
golden seal, ^ oz. ; eyebright, ^ oz; mix well, melt 
over a slow fire, then strain through a cloth, and 
it is fit for use. Apply twice a day. 

GERMAN VEGETABLE CURE. 

This is one of the best caustics I ever made use 
of for all deep seated ulcers, such as Fistulas or a 



136 CATTLE. 

necrosis of the bone. It causes speedy suppura- 
tion, removes proud flesh and all Fungal Tumors, 
Warts, Cancers, (fee. 

I have cured several cancers, on the vagina of 
cattle with the following : 

Peel 3 bushels of bark as follows; 1 of black oak, 
1 of swamp ash, 1 of black hickory; dry the bark 
in the shade, then burn it to ashes in a large kettle; 
add soft water and boil 15 minutes; then leach 
and settle carefully, after which boil down slowly, 
until thick, then remove part of the fire and dry 
down slowly to potash; put in a closely stopped 
jar for use. 

HORN DISTEMPER, OR HOLLOW HORN. 

A disorder incident to horned cattle, by which 
the internal substance of the horn, (commonly call- 
ed the pith, which is the spongy part of the bone) 
wastes away, <fec. This disorder may be known by 
a dullness in the countenance, a sluggish motion, 
want of appetite, a desire to lie down frequently, 
shake their head and appear dizzy, (fee. To be 
sure of this disease, take a small gimblet and per- 
forate the horn two or three inches above the head ; 
if it is hollow and no blood follows, it is the hollow 
horn. This distemper is generally brought on by 
poverty. 

Treatment. — Bore the horn at the upper and 
lower side that the drain may have vent, and ad- 
minister at least two or three doses of salts or some 
gentle purgative; inject into the horn strong vine- 
gar and camphorated spirits of salt and vinegar; 
this will cleanse the horn and effect a cure. 



137 
BLOAT. 

This arises from different causes, cattle are sub- 
ject to a flatulent colic, which is not unlike that of 
the horse, costiveness or bloat and red-colic, which 
in them is called glue-bound, forubel bound, or clo- 
ver bound. Too free feeding on clovej or green 
corn, is liable to produce bloat in cattle and if not 
promptly relieved, frequently die. It is not safe 
in such cases to wait the tardy action of medicine. 
Therefore, stabbing which should be performed 
skillfully and prompt^ is always preferable. To 
perform this, take a sharp pointed butcher knife 
and make the incision about six inches deep in the 
thin skin between the lower part of the hip bone 
and the last rib. Here the knife will enter where 
the Paunch is attached and where there is no mus- 
cles to sever, where the acids will escape giving in- 
stant relief. 

Treatment. — Feed dry light feed, and plenty of 
Cleansing Powders in a little bran or slop. 

INFLAMMATION, OR RED COLIC. 

This is by no means unknown in cattle Pathol- 
ogy; the symptoms of which do not differ from 
those common to the horse, and the treatment also, 
is in every respect the same. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER, OR HOT 
YELLOWS, 

sometimes occur, in which case, in addition to the 
sj'^mptoms detailed under hipatitis in the horse 
there is, from the presence of systic bile in the ox, 
a more determined yellowishness of the eyelids, 



138 CATTLE. 

mouth, and nostrils. The treatment must be sim- 
ilar. 

TREMBLES, OR MILK SICKNESS. 

This is one of the most fearful of all diseases 
with which the cow or horse may be affected. 

Its effects on the horses and cattle are equally 
alike. The milk or butter from a cow that has the 
trembles, causes sick stomach in those who partake 
of it, with severe vomiting and unless speedy re- 
lief is afforded much ma}^ prove fatal. In my long 
train oF practice I have been called to treat hun- 
dreds of cases of this kind in the quadruped, and I 
am happy to be able to submit to the world the on- 
ly successful remedy. In all such cases the stom- 
ach becomes surcharged with morbific agents, 
generated in the body b}^ eating grass or drinking 
water that becomes vitiated by deleterious matter 
floating in the air; settling down on the vegetable 
or waters, poisoning them and when taken into the 
stomach, produces this trembling or vomiting, 
bringing about a derangement of the circulatory 
and nervous sj^stems. The animal hangs its head; 
drops its ears, and shows s^^mptoms of acute fever. 

Treatment. — I have cured hundreds of cases 
with the following: 

4 ozs. of sweet oil or castor oil; 1 pt. of lard 
melted, add 10 drops of croton oil, and drench or 
give 4 drachms of calomel with the above omitting 
the croton oil, repeat every three hours until you 
get evacuation, then all is right. 



139 
MISCELLANEOUS. 

It is stated that for several years past, there has 
been a great loss of cattle in the mountains of New 
Hampshire, from some unknown form of disease; 
the cattle are generally found dead, some few cases 
similar to this have appeared in Massachusetts, and 
the cattle have died from eating too much smut corn. 
(Pleuro Pneumonia has been very fatal for the 
past twelve years. Since vaccination has been 
practiced the loss has gradually diminished.) I 
find a new disease prevails among milch cows in 
Frie county New York, and elsewhere. Symptoms 
— watery eyes, 3^ellow water running from the in- 
testines, cramps; resulting in death in from 12 to 
18 hours. A few cases have been saved by giving 
calomel in doses of from 15 to 20 grins in cold wa- 
ter once in three or four hours, followed by 4 ozs. 
of sweet oil or castor oil until you produce evacua- 
tion. 

It is a remarkable fact that in many districts 
where diseases among horses and cattle have been 
so destructive, during the last few jesivs it has almost 
entirely disappeared. The principle remed}^ ap- 
plied appears to have been a complete renovation 
of barns and stables, good ventilation with a free 
use of lime in the stalls and a regular healthy diet. 

MILK FEYER, 

mav be first noticed in a cow, sometimes before 
parturition, but most generally in a short time af- 
terwards. Its symptoms are, refusing food, pro- 
trusion of the eye, dull look, heaving of the flanks, 
with general restlessness and feverish appearance. 
In this stage of the disease, if prompt remedies are 



140 CATTLE. 

not applied, the animal becomes weak and unable 
to walk without staggering, the eye glassy, the pu- 
pils dilated; her hind legs, from the hips down 
paralyzed, and in this condition is liable to fall, 
never to rise again. It is known in some sections 
of the country as the dropping complaint. 

It is found that there are two varieties of this 
disease, one more severe than the other. In the 
former, the spinal column is affected, delirium ap- 
pearing to extend to the brain; thus the stagger- 
ing gait and wildness of look. In this condition 
she becomes unable to discharge either water or the 
contents of the bowels. 

In both mild and most severe forms of this dis- 
ease, it has been ascertained by post mortem ex- 
amination that the stomach is loaded with hard, 
dry indigestible matter, and much inflamed. When 
the secretions of milk has ceased, the case may be 
considered hopeless. 

It the animal appears lively, the eye clear, with a 
strong pulse, she might be bled with good results; 
the quantity of blood taken to depend on her 
strength, say from two to four quarts. The great 
hope however of cure is in cleansing out the stom- 
ach by powerful purgatives, contnue at intervals 
until relieved. 

We have found the following most efficacious in 
these cases: 

Dissolve in warm water, one pound of salts, five 
ounces of flour of sulphur; six drachms of ground 
ginger, one ounce of spirits of ether; administer 
in three doses, about six hours apart. 

If the case exhibits the symptoms of the severe 
type of the disease, add to the above ten drops of 
castor oil and one pint of lard in the first dose. If 



THE BLAIN. 141 

this does not produce action on the bowels within 
reasonable time, injections should be given to coun- 
teract the torpor of the stomach. 

If the animal survives forty-eight hours, the 
prospect is favorable for recover}^ During her 
sickness, the cow should be carefully nursed, kept 
comfortably warm and dry, with good bedding, her 
fore quarters well raised, and give her warm gruel 
as often as she will eat it. 

THE BLAIN/ 

This disease is most prevalent in Summer, and 
among cattle in high condition. Its symptoms 
are dullness, red, inflamed and watery eyes, heaving 
of the sides and costiveness. These indications 
should be tested by prompt examination of the 
throat, where, at the root of the tongue, if the evi- 
dences prove correct, will be found a number of 
small pustules or blisters, which increases in size 
rapidly from iixflammation, causing a closing of the 
wind-pipe and consequent inward into strangula- 
tion. 

The nature of this disease demands prompt at- 
tention. If allowed to run for a day, death may 
ensue. Many remedies have been resorted to, all 
tending to the one object — to break the blisters, 
but the simplest is with a penknife, to cut each and 
let the glutinous and bloody matter, with which 
the}^ are filled escape. Should the tongue have be- 
come swollen, the operation may be difficult to per- 
form. In such cases the entire head is feverish, 
and bleeding in the jaw should be resorted to, and 
the mouth and tongue swabbed with a mixture 
composed, in proportion, of one drachm of chloride 



142 CATTLE. 

of lime to one quart of water. If necessarj^ repeat. 
If the cutting has caused sores which do not heal 
rapidly, swab with a decoction of tincture of myrrh, 
golden seal and water. 

In this, as in all cases, in which fever intervenes, 
care should be taken to keep the bowels free. 

In extreme and neglected cases, the stomach of 
the animal and the approach to the gullet, becomes 
so swollen as to render it impossible to administer 
medicine, or the animal to partake of food. In 
such cases, we recommend the use of a piece of 
half inch india-rubber passed below the 
wind-pipe, by which, with the use of a funnel, both 
food and medicine may be given. If a small pump 
can be attached, so much the better. Every farm- 
er should have an apparatus of this kind. It is 
easy of construction, very simple and costs but a 
trifle. 

•THE BLOOD, OR BLOODY MURRAIN. 

The symptoms of this disease are high fever, cos- 
tiveness, dullness, restleness, etc., as decided in the 
preceeding cases, with the exception, tBatthe evac- 
uations from the bowels, are high col- 
ored and mixed with blood, we believe it to be more 
prevalent in new countries, rich and uncultivated 
soils, yielding a luxuriant growth of grass, than in 
the older states 

In Ohio and other Western states some thirty 
years ago, almost entire herds were carried off by 
its fatal ravages. It was generally confined to 
young animals in good condition, and most fre- 
quently in Summer, when grass was most luxuri- 
ant. We have known it to be verv fatal even a- 



THE BLOOD, OR BLOODY JIURRAIN. 143 

mong old cattle, while stall feeding at other sea- 
sons of the year. Its attacks are sometimes verj 
common on cattle removed from poor farms to those 
yielding a j^rofusion of nutricions and stimulating 
herbage. Some farmers attribute its causes to the 
Kipid spring of verdure in the early summer, after 
a severe winter with scant feed. Its ravages were 
very fatal in England over one hundred and fifty 
years ago when 70,000 head of cattle died from it 
in one year, and the first account we have of it in 
this countr3% was in 1768. A celebrated physician 
of that day in describing its virulence and fatal ef- 
fects, says, "The disease was epidemic. It depen- 
ded on some atmospheric influence which we 
are unable to understand; but at the same time it 
was contagious, and that to a very great degree. If 
it once appeared on a farm, almost all the cattle 
were sure to be affected ; 3^et it was ascertained that 
the power of infection did not extend more than a 
few yards; and that a fence alone often separated 
the dead from the living. The murrain seemed 
mostly confined to cattle, for horses and sheep, and 
swine and dogs, lived in the midst of the infection 
and escaped, and even some neat cattle seemed to 
possess a security from infection." 

We fortunately of late years know little of this 
terrible scourge in the United States, and should we 
ever be visited by it again. Veterinary science has 
made rapid progress, and its students attained such 
skill in their profession, that there is reason for 
hope that its virulence would be confined to com- 
paratively small loss. 

The first efiort in attempting to efl'ect a cure, 
should be to abate the fever and produce action on 
th<B bowels. Blood should be drianed freelv, and 



144 CATTLE. 

in quantity as the strength of the animal will ad- 
mit. If the blood flows easily ctndis of natural col- 
or, the prospect of recovery is good. 

In most cases of this kind, the greatest difficulty 
is in causing a discharge from the bowels, and the 
most effective agent we have ever tried to bring a- 
bout this desirable result, was one pound of salts, 
one ounce of salt peter, well dissolved and given in 
two quarts of warm meal and water. In four hours 
after give one pint of linseed oil, and again in two 
hours another pint of oil, continuing the oil until 
the bowels freely discharge. 

We have cured some cases of murrain, exhibit- 
ing all the worst symptoms of the disease by these 
simple remedies and have no fear of the result 
when taken in time. If the disease is arrested, the 
animal should be fed for some days on soft food, 
bran or corn meal mashes etc., until the stomach 
has regained its tormer strength and disuse for the 
accustomed aliment. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER, 

is of two kinds, of the bladder proper and of the 
neck of the bladder, the former caused by eatied 
noxious weeds and the latter, sometimes 
from colds and eating acid herbs. 

Inflammation in the neck of the bladder causes 
such a revolting of the pats as to render passage of 
the urine almost impossible, while the desire to do 
so is evinced by constant eflfort, apparently giving 
great pain to the animal. The symptoms in such 
attacks are, loss of appetite, quick pulse, constant 
straining and heaving of the flanks. The best rem- 
edv in the case of inflammation of the neck of the 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 145 

bladder is if possible to remove, which sometimes 
can be done by copious bleeding to lower the sys- 
tem. Should this fail to produce the desired re- 
sult, the catheter must be resorted to, and the oper- 
ation should be performed by a skillful Veterina- 
ry Surgeon. With a cow it is easily accomplished; 
but in an ox, from the curvature of the penis, it is 
a difficult matter. Some Surgeons slit open the 
uretha behind the bag, and so pass the instrument 
into the bladder, while others puncture the bladder 
through the rectum, and some through the belly; 
but all of these systems to give relief are objection- 
able and may terminate fatlty. 

A more effectual and simple way in the case of 
an ox is, to introduce the hand into the rectum and 
with a gentle pressure on the bladder, the contents 
may be forced out without danger. 

In cases of inflammation of the bladder proper, 
the animal should be bled and purged; but no 
medicine to act on the kidneys given. 

The following may be administered with good 
effect : 

Antimonial powder, 2 drachms; powdered opi- 
um, one scruple ; blend well together and mix with 
a quart of gruel, repeating the dose twice a day 
until the urine passes freely. 

STONE IN THE BLADDER. 

This is a common disease in cattle, more partic- 
ularly in the Ox, because of the smallness and curv- 
ed form of the uretha, causing the detention of sol- 
id matter, little sand and gravel taken in while 
grazing. 

The symptoms of stone, are a frequent turning of 



146 CATTLE. 

the head to the flank, a trembling of the hind limbs, 
and an effort to urinate. 

The removal of stone from the bladder is a very 
difficult matter and can only be accomplished by a 
skillful Veterinary Surgeon well versed in the anat- 
omy of cattle, and even witb such assistance the re- 
sult would be doubtful. On discovering the actual 
presence of stone, if the animal is in gcfod condi- 
tion, the best plan to save expences and loss, is to 
slaughter him at once, as no medicine will dissolve 
it. 

DISEASES OF THE EYE. 

Opthalmia, so prevalent in other animals is of 
rare occurrence in neat cattle. The ox, however, 
is subject to injuries in the eye, and in such cases, 
of a more serious character, bathing, fomentations 
and cooling medicine will effect a cure. 

Oxen are also subject to tumors, and often bony 
excresences about the orbit, or the bone around the 
eye, which only can be removed by the use of the 
knife, and even then, not permanently, as they 
sometimes, like warts are apt to grow out again if 
not properly treated. In case of soreness of the 
eyelid, which, not only looks bad, but is a great 
source of annoyance, a solution of white vitril, one 
drachm to a pint of rain water, scarcely fails to ef- 
fect a cure. In more intricate cases, the nitrated 
ointment of quick silver, applied to the part with- 
out touching the eye, will have the desired effect. 
Warts may be cut off with a knife, immediately ap- 
plying a little lunar caustic to the part, which pre- 
vents them coming again. 

When the horse receives dust, or even small 



DISEASES OF THE EYE, 147 

particles of gravel in the eye. Nature has provi- 
ded him with the means of getting rid of it first by 
wiping the surface with the haw, a small gristly 
substance, growing under the nether eyelid and 
washing with his tears. The haw not being so 
prominent in the ox, he frequently suffers much 
from these causes and often blindness ensues. Ex- 
cressences of fungour growth often appear on the 
e^^elid, which in time, if neglected, cover the entire 
vision, causing intense inflammation and total 
blindness speedily follows. In the several cases 
named bleeding from the jugular vein, is generally 
resorted to wtih good results. A dose of Cleansing 
Powders ever^^ other day for a week, with occasion- 
al fomentations, and bathing the eye with a lotion, 
composed of the following ingredients : 

Extract of goulard, spirituous tincture of digi- 
talis, and tincture of opium, two drachms, mixed 
in a pint of rain water. In more inveterate or 
chronic cases, white vitrol, one scruple, spirits ol 
wine, one drachm, mixed in soft water and applied 
as before in most instances prove effective. 

Should inflammation and the fungous excresen- 
ces continue, touch them lightly with a solution of 
nitrate of silver. 

A seaton made of black hellebone root, or a cord 
well soaked in turpentine, inserted in the dewlap, 
or flesh that hangs from throat, is always beneficial. 

HOVE, OR HOVEN. 

This is a frequent complaint among cattle in 
the Summer season, from eating too much green 
food, such as clover and other rank vegetation, 
causing excessive inflation from the gas generated 



148 CATTLE. 

in the stomach by fermentation. It frequently occurs 
when cattle are removed from poor pastures into 
those of better quality, and sometimes, but in a 
milder form and without such changes of pasture. 
Swelling of the paunch is common among weakly 
cows, owing to generation of gas by fermentation 
from acidious matter in the stomach are like dis- 
tentions often following calving. 

Animals thus attacked must be speedily relieved 
or they will die, and as medicine is scarcely prompt 
enough in its action to cause discharge from the 
bowels, the only remedy seems to be the knife. 
The paunch being so distended there is scarcely 
any diffiulty in performing the operation. Pass 
j^ouropen hand from the hip bone forward to the 
ribs and the stomach may be felt; here insert a 
sharp pocket-knife trom three to four inches, mak- 
ing the orifice of sufficient extent to admit the es- 
caping gas to pass. We have known an incision 
made large enough to admit the hand of a man to 
remove the contents. Leave the cavity open for 
some time that all gas may escape. If the opening 
is large, a few stitches will draw the parts together, 
and they will soon heal. 

In mild cases of this character, when the indica- 
tions first appear, if the animal is made to run on a 
lively trot, the shaking of the stomach often pro- 
duces the desired result. 

Betore resorting to the cutting process, if the an- 
imal does not appear to be too much distressed, 
give one and a half ounce of hartshorn in a quart 
of water. Potash, limestone, sulphuric ether and 
other neutralizers of gaseous matter have been giv- 
en sometimes with almost magical effect, the dis- 
tended stomach in a very brief period of time as. 



CHOKING. " 149 

suming its usual proportions. 

CHOKING. 

Cattle are very liable to choke from eating com, 
apples or potatoes. The attendant appearances are 
great effort to cough up whatever it may be, and 
generally, a copious discharge ot saliva from the 
mouth. Suffocation will speedily ensue if relief is 
not promptly given. The location of the obstruc- 
tion should at once be ascertained, and if at the 
mouth of the gullet, it can be readily removed bv 
the hand. If lower down, then try to force it on- 
ward into the stomach, which may be accomplished 
with a flexible rod, resembling the limber handle of 
a whip, first lubricating the throat with a pint of 
oil or melted lard. In the event of failure in these 
efforts, the only alternative is to make an incision 
through the skin, long itudinally into the throat ot 
sufficient dimensions to remove the substance; im- 
mediately afterwards carefully sewing iip the 
wound. Operations of this kind should never be 
resorted to only in desperate cases. If skillfully 
performed, all will be well. 

LOCKED JAW. 

This disease is not of freq^ucnt occurrence in cat- 
tle, but more generally in oxen, and frequently 
from an injury to the foot, which may pass unno- 
ticed for some time and result in Locked Jaw. The 
symptoms are stiffness of the joints, neck and ears, 
unsteady gait, walk unusually wide behind, and 
tremulous motion of the tail. In this condition the 
animal may linger for many days without being 



150 CATTLE. 

able to eat a morsel, and will finally die from star- 
vation. 

Immediately on the complaint being discovered, 
he should be copiously bled to cause a relaxation of 
the muscles, when immediatel}^ administer the fol- 
lowing : 

One ounce and a half of Barbadoes aloes, ten 
grains of the Kernel of croton nut, powdered; dis- 
solve in a small quantity of boiling water, and give 
when 'cool. 

Should this cause a discharge from the bowels, 
give 

One drachm of camphor, grated into one ounce 
of spirits of wine; one drachm of powdered opium. 
Mix with gruel, and repeat three times a day, 
in the mean time keeping the bowels free with salts 
or aloes. 

If not entirely relieved, bleeding should be again 
resorted to, even to such an extent as to cause the 
animal to reel and stagger from weakness. 

In thts condition he must be kept very warm by 
heavy blanketing. If he inclines to eat give him 
bran or corn meal mashes. If the muscles still re- 
main rigid drench with warm thin gruel. If it is 
yet found impossible to open the mouth, the med- 
icine and gruel should be given by injection. 

POISON. 

When Vegetation commences in the Spring, cat- 
tle frequently get poisoned from eating poisonous 
weeds, hemlock, buckeye, crows-foot, dropwort, 
yew, etc. 

The symptoms in each case vary. The animal 
generally moans, suddenly becomes stupid and ex- 



WOUNDS. 151 

hibits great pain, often delerious, and sometimes 
the stomach becomes swollen. The first object 
should be to get rid of the poisonous matter, either 
by drenching copiously with warm water to cause 
sickness of tbe stomach. Then give Barbadoes 
aloes, powdered crotonnut etc., as directed in case 
of locked jaw. Moderate bleeding is sometimes re- 
sorted too with good results. 

When the poison seems to be evacuated, give 
One ounce of caraway powder, half ounce of gen- 
tian, powdered ; half ounce of ground ginger and 
twenty drops ol essence of peppermint in a little 
warm water. 

WOUNDS. 

All kinds of cattle are liable to wounds, and their 
treatment requires more care than great skill, ex- 
cept in a joint. In the first place remove all dirt 
and subdue any inflammation which may have ta= 
ken place by fomentation with warm water. If the 
wound is a simple cut, draw the parts carefully to- 
gether and sew it up; if lacerated and the flesh 
mangled and torn, these parts should be cut away 
with a sharp knife, and bring the skin together as 
closely as possible, and held in that posi- 
tion either by sewing, adhesive straps or bandage. 
If the latter place a little clean soft tow under the 
bandage. This dressing should not be removed 
for two or three days. If the wound looks healthy, 
dress with ointment, composed of the following: 

Lard, two pounds ; rosin, half a pound ; melt to- 
gether, and when partly cool, stir in half a pound 
of finely powdered calamine. Should proud flesh 
appear, wash with a strong solution of blue vitrol. 



152 CATTLE. 

In case oi protruded wound, use fomentations 
of march mallows, or poppy herds boiled in water 
for a few days to allow inflammation, and inject a 
tincture of aloes and myrrh into the wound twice a 
day. Should the wound be deep, and the pus can- 
not escape, a seaton should be inserted below to 
draw it off. 

In cases of tumors on a horses shoulder from the 
action of collar bathe with a solution of common 
salt, or sal ammoniac. If not too far advanced, this 
may answer very well. If otherwise, make a lotion 
of the following and rub the parts gently with it: 

Four ounces of bay salt, OnC pint of vinegar, one 
quart of water, one drachm of oil of organum. 

If the tumor increases in size, a seaton should 
be inserted running from the top to the lower part. 

In case of joint wounds in either cattle or horses, 
and especially when the joint itself is penetrated, 
or laid open from any cause. First wash the part 
carefully, removing all dirt, when it may be neces- 
sary to use the probe to ascertain if a bone is frac- 
tured. If doubt exists as to this, a poultice should 
be applied, not only to allay inflammation, but to 
ascertain if a fracture has taken place; if so, the 
discharge on the poultice will be a yellowish fluid, 
or joint water. This discharge must be immedi- 
ately stopped, and the best way to accomplish this 
is to bind together a small comperers on the part, 
covering the wound and not remove it for many 
days. Should this not succeed, resort must be had 
to ironing, thus: Heat red hot an iron rod and 
draw it lightly across the wound, searing the en- 
tire surface It may be nessary to again repeat 
this operation, but in nine cases out of ten, the first 
will suffice. The sore may after a day or two be 



ANGLE BERRIES. 153 

treated as a common wound. 

In all joint wounds, moderate bleeding and a 
dose of Cleansing Powders should be given to al- 
lay fever and inflammation. 

ANGLE BEERIES. 

This is a species of wart which grows on the eye- 
lids of cattle and the teats of cows. If attended to 
early and touched with nitre of silver, they will 
soon disappear- If of full growth, tie a thread of 
waxed silk firmly round the base, and tighten ev- 
ery day. They will soon drop off. 

FOUL FOOT. 

This complaint is incident to cattle being pas- 
tured long on marshy land, or in oxen driven on 
hard ston}' roads, resembling quittor in the horse. 
It is very painful and causes lameness. It gener- 
ally first appears between the toes, causing great 
inflammation and a discharge of offensive stinking 
matter. It is sometimes very obstinate, and 
should be treated in time, before it extends to the 
coronet, between the hair and hoof, descending 
down under the horn of the hoof. Immediately on 
discovering the complaint keep the animal on dry 
ground, clean out the hoof and pare off all the 
loose horn and proud flesh, if any. Then dress 
with butyor of antimony. With good care and at- 
tention to cleanliness it will soon be cured. If 
swelling or inflammation take place, poultice with 
flaxedmeal. Bleeding and a dose of Cleansing 
Powders may be used with good effect. 



154 CATTLE. 

MANGE. 

This disease frequently attacks cattle after poor 
feeding in water. The complaint is contagious 
and the animal should be removed from others. 
The symptoms are recognized by the hide-bound 
appearance, scurvness of the skin and looseness of 
the hair. Make an ointment of the following, and 
rub daily with the hand all the effected parts: 

One pound of flour of Sulphur, two ounces of 
mercurial ointment, half a pound of common tur- 
pentine, half a pound of lead. Melt the lead oint- 
ment and turpentine together, and while cooling 
stir in the sulphur. 

A dose of Cleansing Powders will be a great ser- 
vice to the animal. 

WARBLES. 

These insects are very annoying to cattle. They 
are impregnated by the gad or ox-fly perforating 
the skin of the animal, over the loins or back, and 
there depositing an egg, which produces the warble 
or maggot. The location of the warble is easily 
discovered by passing the hand over the animal by 
the unevenes ot the skin, the place where the 
warble is located, resembling a tumor about the 
size of a hazel nut. Each tumor has an opening 
at the top, covered over by a scab, which can be 
easily removed by rubbing. 

SPAYING, OR ALTERING. 

Too little attention is paid to Spaying, or Alter- 
ing calves at the proper time. Bulls should never 



SPAYING, OR ALTERING. 155 

be allowed to go beyond two weeks from the time 
of birth, although many farmers defer that opera- 
tion until they are a year old. This is bad econo- 
my; if neglected until that age they become stag- 
gish, having a rough appearance, thick bone and 
will never bring within twenty-five per cent, of the 
price of a clean, nice, smooth animal gelted at the 
proper time. When altered young, but little skill 
is requisite in the operator, while if allowed to run 
for a year, the operation is frequently attended 
with loss of life if unskilfully performed. 

It is a very common practice, and a bad one too, 
to cut the end of the sack, if the animals are old 
and strong, they are liable to bleed profusely. The 
best plan at all ages, is to slit it on each outside, 
from near the top down to the bottom ; draw out 
the testicle and scrape the cord up close and cut it 
off. In spaj'ing of heifers, practice and confidence 
in your ability to perform the operation are essen- 
tially requisite. The operation is similar to that of 
spaying sows, in which a good knife, rather round- 
ing at the point, a spaying needle and a supply of 
good shoe thread is necessary. Take the heifer 
lay on a board or the ground right side down, with 
assistant to hold. Then feel for the end of the hip 
bone, shave the hair off with your knife, make an 
incission through the skin one inch below, and in 
a right line downward one inch; then cut the inside 
flesh lengthwise, making a hole sufficiently large 
to introduce your fore finger, reaching up toward 
the back bone, remove the "pride" and cut it off 
close to the "calf bed." Then follow the "calf bed" 
with your finger to the opposite end, where you will 
find the other "pride," which cut in like manner. 
Now replace the "calf bed," grease with hogs lard 



156 



CATTLK. 



and sew up rather slack, but strong, leaving room 
for all matter that may gather to escape. The 
proper age is from two weeks to two years old, 
the earlier period however is preferable for reasons 
heretofore mentioned in this connection. 




TO ESTIMATE THE WEIGHT OF CATTLE. 



The farmer often suffers loss by his lack of 
knowledge in estimating the weight of cattle, an 
art in which experienced drovers and butchers are 
so well versed as to give them an advantage over 
him in the sale of stock. We append the following 
method, by means of which the weight of cattle 
may be so nearly ascertained, as to vary, if any* 



TO ESTIMATE THE WEIGHT OF CATTLE. 157 

thing; but a mere trifle when put upon scales of 
the most accurate mark : 

With a tape line, or common string that will not 
stretch, and rule, measure the girth of the animal 
just behind the shoulder-blade, and in the same 
manner obtain the length from the bone of the tail 
along the back to the fore part of the shoulder 
blade, multiply the given measure of each together; 
then multiply the result by 23, the number of 
pounds allowed to the superficial foot, you will 
have the weight. 

For example, the girth is 6ft. 8 inches. 



Length 


5ft. 3 


Eesult 
Multiply by 


32 feet. 
23 




96 
64 



Net weight 736 pounds. 

When an animal measures less than 9 and even 
7 feet in girth, the number of pounds to the super- 
ficial foot is 31. 

Any farmer with common sense can understand 
this, and if he is cheated hy greater experts in the 
art, it is his own fault. 

Smaller animals, hogs &c., measuring say 2 feet 
in girth, and 2 feet from shoulder to tail, the re- 
sult is 

Multiply by 
the number of pounds to the superficial foot of an- 
imals measuring less than 3 feet in girth. 

Weight of animal. 4ft, 11 X 44 pounds. 

The rule invariably works so accurately that it is 



158 CATTLE. 

safe for anyone, with an experienced eye, to either 
buy or sell by it. 

CALVES. 

A few hints on the care of calves from their birth, 
the diseases to which they are subject, and their 
treatment, we deem of importance in this connec- 
tion, and recommend every farmer, whose desire 
should be to raise healthy cattle to pursue atten- 
tively each, under its proper title in the following 
pages : 

BIRTH. 

At or before the time of birth, according to the 
season, the cow should be provided with a proper 
place, clean, dry, well littered and comfortably 
warm if the weather is bad, but, if in the Summer 
season, a pasture apart trom other cattle will ans- 
wer as well. After the calf is dropped and it ap- 
pears to ordinary strength, it should be left entire- 
ly to the care of its dam, until licked dry and clean. 
This, not only benefits the calf, but the mother in 
eating the cleansing, phich acts as a ph3'sic, soon 
discharges all foul matter, a longer detention, of 
which, would render her feverish, consequently 
her milk bad, and injure the calf. The most expe- 
rienced cattle raisers take from the cow before the 
calf i^ allowed to suck, a small quantity of milk, 
lest it might purge the ca f ; the calf then having 
liberty to suck all it may desire for at least three 
or four days, unless the cow has a greater abun- 
dance of milk than it should have, and in that e- 
vent a part should be drawn off In case of an 



BLEEDING FROM THE NAVEL. 159 

over supply of milk, and the calf is strong and able 
to take it, he may gorge his stomach and become 
sick, and if weak and not able to take it all, the 
milk will remain in the udder, coagulate and cause 
hardness, fever, soreness and consequent damage 
to the cow. 

After the third or fourth day it is advisable to 
keep the cow and calf apart, allowing it access to 
the cow three times a day, and at each time a por- 
tion of the milk, according to supply, it at that 
stage being fit for use, should be drawn, the calf 
allowed the first. The frequent sucking from the 
bumping of the calf s head, causes a more free dis- 
charge of milk, renderst he bag soft, by the pre- 
vention of secretions of milk, causing kernels in 
the bag, which become sore and painful and make 
the cow diflScult to milk. 

The calf should not be exposed to wet or cold, 

BLEEDING FROM THE NAVEL. 

Calves sometimes bleed fi^om the naval string, 
and if copious and not immediately stopped will 
speedily end in death. Should ^uch take place, 
tie up close to the body with a strong thread. 
Should inflammation ensue, foment with hot water 
and rub gently with the hand around the part. If 
the inflammation cannot thus be subdued, it will 
become necessary to poultice to produce suppura- 
tion, which may at the proper time be discharged 
by the use of a sharp pen-knife. 

DIARRHEA. 

Young calves are very subject to this complaint 



160 CATTLE. 

from various causes, in the majority of cases caus- 
ed b}" exposure to wet and cold, feeding gruel, sour 
milk, starvation etc., and in most cases the animal 
runs down so rapidly that cure becomes difficult. 
In such cases the matter discharged is frequently 
accompanied by a bloody, and often fited mucus 
with but little of the natural substance. 
Prompt measures should be taken to stop the 
cause of this trouble, by cleansing the bowels and 
stomach of all acidity and asisting the too frequent 
purgations. To eflect this, in the first place give 
from two to three ounces, according to strength 
and age of the animal, of caster oil, and shortly af- 
ter give the following astringent: 

Two drachms of prepared chalk, ten grains of 
powered opium, half a drachm of catechu, half a 
drachm of ground ginger and five drops of the es- 
sence of peppermint. Mix in half a pint of gruel. 

The above may be repeated twice a day until 
the discharge becomes natural. 

Should the discharges cause straining and appar- 
ent pain, an injection of a pint of blood warm gru- 
el, mixed with a drachm of powdered opium, will 
have a good effect. Incases of this character in- 
flammation of the bowels is frequent and this may 
be determined b}^ the animals unweariness, getting 
up, lying down, dryness and heat of the mouth, etc. 
If the animal is very weak, recovery is almost 
hopeless, but, if strong enough, it would be advis- 
able to bleed to the extent of one pint. 

Starch is often administered with good results. 

COSTIVENESS. 

Calves, a few days after birth are subject to cos- 



HOOSE, OR COUGH. 161 

tiveness, caused by suffering it to suck too much 
etc. The most effectual remedy we know when 
young is to administer epsom salts in ounce doses, 
dissolved in warm water, every six hours until re- 
lieved. 

Constipation of the bowels in cattle, either young 
or old, if not at once counteracted, is most dan- 
gerous, causing fever and other serious com- 
plaints. A little care and attention in this matter, 
may prevent most serious loss. They should be 
watched and as soon as the dung is observed to be 
hard and dry, a dose of purgative medicine should 
be given, in quantit}^ as age and strength may 
justif3^ Epsom salts is most advisable, but com- 
mon salt and water will answer. 

HOOSE, OR COUGH. 

The presence of this disease may be ascertained 
by violent coughing, and, as it is said to be conta- 
gious, the animal should be immediately removed 
from other stock, and placed under tolerably warm 
shelter. In a post mortem examination of a case of 
this kind, should the wind pipe and air tubes be 
filled with small worms, said to be engendered by 
drinking water in which the leaves are deposited; 
taken into the stomach, absorbed by the blood ves- 
sels and thus enter the windpipe. In a majority of 
cases, if taken in time, moderate bleeding, follow- 
ed by a mild purgative and a fever powder will ef- 
fect a cure. Should the case be an extreme one, 
exhibiting the worst sj'Uiptoms, the following, for 
animals from six to twelve months old is an excel- 
lent remedy. 

One ounce of oil of turpentine, three or four 



162 CATTLE. 

ounces of linseed oil, one drachm of ground ginger. 
Mix and repeat once a week as may be necessary, 

CANKER IN THE MOUTH. 

During the cutting of teeth, canker in the mouth 
is not an unfrequent disease in calves. It is ac- 
companied by soreness of the gums, with pimples, 
which extend to the membrane of the mouth, 
which often run together, causing considerable ul- 
ceration, swelling of the gums and tongue and fe- 
ver, with consequent inability of the calf to eat. 
The most advisable treatment is first to cleanse the 
bowels, with doses of epsom salts of two ounces 
each, repeating daily until all inflammation is al- 
layed. In the mean time, wash the mouth frequent- 
ly with a solution of alum and water. 



CHAPTER, XL 




SHEEP. 



Sufficient attention is not given to the raising 
and care of sheep, considering their great value too 

163 



164 gH££P. 

the farmer as an improver of his lands, independ- 
ent of their pecuniar}^ profit from fleece and ani- 
mal increase. It is a fault well known to all tann- 
ers, that sheep subdue all coarse plants from their 
pasture, and will bring up a run-down farm sooner 
than any other kind of stock. They like variety, 
and if properly fed will return more value in flesh 
than any other of our domestic animals. It is gen- 
erally conceded tliat an average quality of yews 
fairly kept, will yield four pounds of clean wool 
annually and one lamb; and indeed it is held, that 
not only in keeping down the growth of all noxious 
weeds, briars and other underbrush, that they ful- 
ly compensate for what they eat. 

With this brief introduction, we shall proceed 
to notice in detail the care of sheep, the diseases 
to which they are subject, their cure, and such oth- 
er matters as may occur to us, as being of interest 
to the farmer, or sheep raiser. 

The average age of sheep is ten years, but with 
care as to feeding and health they often extend 
that and continue their annual increase. The fe- 
male goes with young twent3''-one weeks. 

BREEDS. 



Of the great variety of breeds introduced into 
this country from time to time, there is scarcely 
any one breed at the present day, owing to the con- 
stant crossing of each, that can lay claim to orig- 
inal blood. Of the difl*erent varieties, we will 
name the Spanish and Saxon Merino; the Leices- 
ter or Bakewold ; the South-Doun; the Cotswold, 
the Cheviot and Lincoln. 



165 
THE SPANISH MERINO. 

Of these there are several varieties, differing in 
form, size, quality of wool. They are generally es- 
timated as a hardy breed, and thrive well on our 
soil and climate. They were originally introduc- 
ed from France and Spain. The former is large 
bodied, short-legged and yields a heavy fleece; the 
latter smaller, less hardy, yielding a finer grade of 
wool, and less in quantity. 

The flesh of those two varieties, when allowed to 
attain a proper age ; not less than three years, is 
of fine flavor and short-grained. 

THE SAXON MERINO. 

There are few of the full blood of this breed in 
the country, having been crossed and recrossed 
until they have nearly lost their identity. The 
mixed breeds thus produced, particularly those 
crossed with the Spanish Merino, yields a wool 
equal in texture to the former. In body and fleece 
they are lighter, are not quite as hardy, and re- 
quire more care, with better feeding and shelter in 
winter. 

THE NEW LEICESTER. 

The principle recommendations of this celebra- 
ted breed, according to Mr. Culley, the great Eng- 
lish sheep breeder, are its beauty and fullness of 
form, in the same apparent dimensions greater 
weight than any other sheep, an early maturity 
and a propensity to fatten equaled by no other 
breed; a diminution of the proportion of wool and 
the return of the most money for the food consum- 



166 SHEEP. 

ed. 

After the first shearing the fleece will average 
six pounds of wool of geuerall}^ six inches in length, 
an excellent combing wool, for carpets, or other 
coarse fabrics, but seldom used in the manufacture 
of clothes. In English markets the mutton is 
much appreciated, and commands the highest price. 

In this country, except on rich pastures they 
are not considered a profitable breed. 

THE SOUTH DOWN. 

This breed does not rate high as wool producers, 
which in point of length is of the medium class. 
It is hardy, and stands our climate well. In Eng- 
land it matures at the age of two years, when it 
will generally average from eighty to one hundred 
pounds of meat to the carcass. It is easily kept, 
and is considered very profitable. 

THE COLTSWOLD. 

This is one of the largest and heavy wooled 
sheep we have; the length sometimes reaching from 
six to eight inches, and the fleece weighing from 
seven to eight pounds. The mutton is of superior 
quality. The ewes are ver}- prolific and good nurs- 
es, and the young mature at an early age. 

THE CHEVIOT. 

The Cheviot is, as yet, but little known in this 
country. It is is however well adapted to the cli- 
mate, capable of enduring much cold and existing 
upon but little food. It is of small bone, well pro- 



THE LINCOLN. 167 

portioned, fattens easil}'-, and produces a fine, bul 
short grade of wool. 

THE LINCOLN. 

This breed derives its name from having been 
first bred in Lincolnshire, England, over sixty 
years ago. The mutton is coarse grained. They 
are remarkable for their long wool and heavy fleec- 
es, three year pld well kept weathers, said to pro- 
duce fleeces weighing from eight to fourteen pounds 
each, the carcass from eighty to one hundred and 
twenty pounds net. 

MANAGEMENT. 

The management of sheep, more particularly in 
the winter season, should be left entirely to the 
judgment of their owner. In good open fair weath- 
er, they will thrive and keep in good health better 
in the open air. But, during snow and rain storms, 
the}^ should be provided with open, dry and clean 
sheds to take shelter under, otherwise, with all 
the food that may be given, they will lose flesh, 
and before the opening of Spring many are likely 
to die. 

FEEDING. 

In open dry weather, as we said before, sheep 
will do better in the open air; they will pick up 
their hay or other feed clean from the frozen or dry 
ground, when, if the land is soft and muddy, they 
will scarcely touch it. They should be provided 
with movable racks for coarse food, so that when 



168 SHEEP. 

the ground gets tramped up, it can be moved a- 
bout from one place to another, and troughs, from 
which to eat their meal or grain. Sheaf oats, with 
short straw, is excellent food and highly relished 
by them. Either corn or oats, when other food is 
given, should be supplied spareing^y. By judi- 
cious feeding with grain, the fleece is largely in- 
creased in weight Every sheep owner should har- 
vest some oats before it becomes ful^^ ripe for his 
sheep. It is more nutricious and sweet, and they 
like it better in that state. When the weather will 
admit, and grass is fresh and green, they will pre- 
fer to run on pasture, but nevertheless, they should 
have some grain each day to keep them in good 
condition. We have fed turnips with good advan- 
tage in Winter, but they should be kept where, 
and fed when they will not freeze. 

SALT AND WATER. 

Sheep at all seasons should be supplied with 
salt once a week while running on grass, but of- 
tener in wintr when being fed on dry food; it aids 
in digestion. A little sulphur mixed with it an- 
swers a very good purpose. 

In Summer, when grass is young and juicy, and 
dews are frequent, sheep will get along very well 
without water. At all other seasons they should 
have free access to pure clean water. They are 
very particular, and do not relish foul or stagnant 
water. 



169 
SHADE. 

It is very important to provide sheep with suffi- 
cient shade during the hot months of Summer; 
otherwise they will lose flesh by running from one 
place to another to escape the scorching rays of 
the sun. Trees answer the purpose best, but in 
their absence temporary bound sheds will answer 
well. 

LAMBING. 

Every prudent stock raiser should manage to 
have his lambs come at a season when the weath- 
er is expected to be pleasant. This of course de- 
pends on the latitude. In the South it is not very 
material when, but in the North, from the middle 
to the latter part of April is the best time. At 
this season generally, the young grass is begining 
to spring up, and will increase the ewe's milk. — 
Early grass should be reserved for this purpose. 
It the weather is genial and pleasant, the open dry 
pasture is best for lambing. If it can be avoided 
ewes in large numbers should never be housed at 
this period ; they are apt to get separated, the 
lambs run over, and if the weather is cold, perish 
before they are discovered. 

WEANING. 

It is a great mistake to allow a healthy, strong 
lamb to run with the ewe after it is four months 
old. It is better that it should be then weaned, 
otherwise the dam will become weakened and the 
lamb not benefited bv further nursing. When 



170 SHEEP. 

separated, the lambs should be removed to a dis- 
tant, fresh pasture, where they cannot hear each 
others bleating, causing them to be restless. An 
old tame ewe or two turned into the field with them 
will tend to keep them quiet. 

In order th at the ewes may go dry as soon as pos- 
sible, keep them on short allowance of food for a 
few days, ancl if the udder becomes swollen from 
the quantity of milk, it should be drawn off and the 
bag washed and rubbed to softness. When entire- 
ly dry, put them in good pasture to regain their 
usual condition. 

CASTRATION AND DOCKING. 

If the lamb is healthy, at the age of two weeks 
emasculation and docking should take place. The 
operation is simple and easily performed. It is 
best that two men should do the work to prevent 
the lamb from struggle. One man hold the ani- 
mal firmly down, with his four legs drawn togeth- 
er and forward. The operator prepared with a 
sharp knife, may then slit open the bag on each 
outside from top to bottom, so as to admit of the 
testical being drawn gentl}' out loosen the scrotum 
from the lower end scrape the cord well up to the 
small part with the knife and cut it off. 

We have known many fine lambs greatly disfig- 
ured by want of judgment in docking. Some cut 
to short, while others do exactly the reverse; eith- 
er will mar the appearance of the animal. From 
two to two and a half inc'ies is the proper length. 
Before severing the joint, draw the skin back, so 
that when cut, it will form a covering for the end. 
'^^' In cold weather no application is necessary, but, 



DISEASES AND CURES. 17X 

if warm, smear the parts with tar; it will will ans- 
wer the double purpose of accelerating the healing 
process and keeping off flies. 

Thus much in the different herds of sheep and 
their treatment, we shall proceed to notice their 

DISEASES AND CURES. 

In the treatment of sheep for the various diseas- 
es to which they are subject, the same medicines, 
but in lesser quantities, are applicable to them as 
to cattle; their internal structure nearly alike; the 
deseases of both, bearing great resemblance to each 
other in their nature, cause, progress and treatment. 
The difference in the quantity of medicine to be ad- 
ministered to sheep is from one sixth to one eighth 
part of the usual dose for cattle. When bleeding 
has to be resorted to, the quantity of blood taken 
will depend on the size and strength of the animal, 
and nature of the disease. From a full grown sheep, 
a pint, and a lamb one quarter of that quantity will 
suffice. The blood should be drawn from the jugu- 
lar vein. 

There is not a more destructive disease among 
sheep, particularly young lambs than that of 

DIAEEHEA. 

Lambs are frequently attacked with it when not 
over a day, but oftener a week, and from that to 
three months old, When very young, the chance 
of recovery is small, but with those of more ad- 
vanced age and strength, care and proper treat- 
ment will bring them through. The causes of di- 
arrhea are various, exposure to cold and wet weath 



172 SHEEP. 

er, want of proper support, and not unfrequently 
the mothers milk seems to disagree with the lamb. 
In such cases a change of food is desirable. It al- 
so may be owing to fever in the ewe, causing her 
milk to be purgative and unwholesome, when the 
following should be given to the ewe, which will 
likewise benefit the lamb : 

Two ounces of Epsom salts, a quarter ounce of 
ground caraway seed, dissolve the salts in a pint of 
thin water gruel and mix. 

Should the foregoing not check the disease, the 
following, mixed with a little thin starch and wa- 
ter, sliould be given the lamb promptly night and 
morniug: 

One drachm of compound of chalk and opium, a 
scruple of gentian and three drops of essence of 
pepermint. 

If the purging should continue, it is in most 
cases advisable to take the lamb from the ewe and 
feed on boiled cow's milk, let cool off and mix with 
one pint a scruple of powdered chalk. 

This is sufficient for each meal, feeding regular- 
ly three times a day. It is alwa^'s best when a 
lamb is thus attacked to dock the tail, if that op- 
eration has not previously been performed. 

If the lamb is two or three months old, the med- 
icine named should be increased in proportion. 

COSTIVENESS. 

This dieease frequently attacks sheep and should 
be speedil}^ remedied. It is generally an indica- 
tion of existing or approaching fever, the evidence 
of which is restlessness, heat of the mouth, foul 
breath and heaving of the flanks. Bleeding in pro- 



STAGGERS. 173 

portion to age and strength should be resorted to, 
and give two ounces of Epsom salts in a little gru- 
el, repeating the dose every six hours until the de- 
sired efiect is attained. 

Should the animal refuse to eat, drenches of gru- 
el will afford suflScient nourishment; but in the 
mean time the bowels must be kept free. 

STAGGERS. 

The most thriity in the flock are sometimes at- 
tacked with this disease, the presence of which, 
may be decided by heaving of the flanks, standing 
still, with head protruded; or unsteady walk, and 
frequently attended with costiveness. Bleeding 
should be promptly resorted to, and give the fol- 
lowing dose mixed with gruel twice a day until re- 
lieved : 

One scruple of powdered digitalis, ten grains of 
emetic tartar and two drachms of nitre. 

FOOT ROT. 

This destructive disease in sheep is likened to 
the human small-pox, and independently of all ex- 
terior influences or of the individual constitution of 
the animal, attacking young as well as old, heal- 
thy as well as sick, its devastations are equally fa- 
tal. 

The more common breeds of sheep are not so li- 
able to its attacks, as their hoofs are of coarser 
texture, while the frame of the finer breeds, partic- 
ularly the Spanish Merino, is not so well fitted to 
resist the disease. Its causes are attributed to wet 
pasture tending to soften the foot, or standing in 



174 SUEEP. 

.-I -» r . 

filthy yards or stables. The locality of the disease 
is in the capsule of the foot; in mild cases, only 
the parts above the capsule are effected. Numer- 
ous remedies, such as acids and caustics have been 
tried with but indifferent results. The proper 
treatment is to cut out with a small sharp knife all 
the lose born which is separated from the hoof 
and is suffused white matter; the object being to 
lay bare the diseased suppurating substances, and 
to destroy the infectious matter on them. For this 
purpose chloride of lime is the most rapid and effi- 
cacious of all remedies. It should be applied to 
the diseased parts, the cleft fillen with tow, and the 
foot bandaged to keep it clean and protect it from 
irritation. The diseased hoofs should be examin- 
ed dail}^ the chloride of lime again applied and re- 
bandage as long as may be necessary. Two or 
three such applications generall}' effect a cure. The 
pain and lameness soon disappear; the skin be- 
comes thicker and more compact, every day form- 
ing the new horn. The foot-rot being a purely lo- 
cal disease, internal remedies are wholly useless. — 
When the lameness has disappeared and a firm 
horn renewed, the sheep can be returned to the 
healthy flock, before which it is recommended, that 
he should be made to stand in a trough of water, 
in which is mixed a pound of chloride ot lime to 
each pail of water. Any virus clinging to the hoof 
is thus destroyed. The sheep can be kept stand- 
ing in the water by the erection of a temporary 
fence around the trough. 



175 
RED-WATER. 

This disease is frequent among sheep in the 
most thriving condition. Sometimes it is sudden 
in its attack and speedily fatal. Its first sj-mp. 
toms are refusal to eat, slow to move, panting and 
•restless. It is more common among lambs and 
generally appears in the Spring. The first remedy 
is bleeding. Then to full grown animals give the 
following dose reduced from one fourth to one half 
for lambs: * 

One ounce of Epsom salts, one scruple of ground 
ginger, one drachm of gentian, one ounce of linseed 
oil. Mix with a small quantity of warm water. 

If the animal should progress favorably, a change 
of pasture would be advisable. 

THE BLOOD. 

The first symptoms ot an attack by this disease 
are dullness, hanging head, bloodshot e^^es, with 
considerable heaving of the flanks and staggering 
gait. If neglected, a few hours will terminate in 
death. It is more frequent in Spring and warm 
weather. Bleeding promptly and freeh^ is the on- 
ly hope. A simple purgative of two ounces of ep- 
som salts administered ever}^ second hour until 
the bowels are thoroughly cleansed should be giv- 
en. Afterwards repeat the physic night and morn- 
ing for three or four days. Some sheep raisers 
when the disease appears ixx the flock, bleed every 
animal; give each a dose of physic and remove 
them to other pasture. 



176 SHEEP. 

GIDDINESS IN THE HEAD. 

This disease is more in flocks pasturing on low 
lands. It is most prevalent in the Spring, and 
continues through the Summer. Its symptoms are, 
loss of appetite, difficulty in bending the neck to 
eat, appears to be frightened at the least unusual 
sound, and runs round and round, holding his head 
on one side. It is not contagious, and having once 
attacked the animal and loss of flesh commenced, 
death is certain to ensue. It is owing to pressure 
on the brain by a bladder like substance formed 
between the skull and brain. Many eflbrts have 
been made by Veterinary Surgeons to rupture this 
substance, but few have proved successful. 

As no certain cure is known, prevention should 
be resorted to. Shelter from storms of rain and 
snow, and feeding on uplands is advisable. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 

This disease in many respects resembles the last 
case mentioned. The symptoms are delirium, ea- 
ger and ferocious countenance, runs around, and 
will bunt at any object he may meet. If these 
symptoms are not promptly assisted, violent infla- 
rnmation of the brain and its membranes ensues, 
and the case is hopeless. 

Immediate and copious bleeding, followed by a 
dose of salts is the only remedy. If the animal 
does not get worse, repeat the dose occasionally, 
keeping the bowels free. 



177 
CATARRH. 

This is a common disease, well known by the 
discharge from the nose of an offensive matter. It 
is the effect of cold and bad treatment. It frequent- 
ly runs into inflammation of the lungs, consump- 
tion and death. Cough frequently accompanies 
this discharge; and if there is much fever, it will 
be shown by loss of appetite and rapidl}^ groAving 
weakness. 

This disease sometimes attacks whole flocks and 
it is always safer to keep those infected apart. 

Bleeding and the usual purgatives should be re- 
sorted to, with the change of feed, and shelter, if 
the season is cold and wet. 

In extreme cases of this disease inflammation 
reaches the thi^oat down the wind-pipe to the air 
passages of the lungs, producing bronchitis, which 
is very dangerous. 

Experienced sheep-breeders recommend smear- 
ing the nose frequently with tar. This is doubt- 
less good if adopted in time. Carbonic acid ap- 
plied in like manner has an excellent effect. 

It is a remarkable fact in this connection, that 
sheep pastured on pine lands, where cedar and oth- 
er resinous plants grow, are very seldom attacked 
with this loathsome disease. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 

Sheep are subject to this disease, caused also by 
cold and bad treatment. Its symptoms are the 
same as catarrh. If the animal is full grown, take 
one pint of blood from the neck and give two oun- 
ces of salts. The following dose should also be 
given once a day until the symptoms disappear: 



178 SHEEP. 

'One scruple of powdered digitalis, ten grains of 
emetic tartar and two drachms of nitre. Mix with 
gruel. 

INFLUENZA. 

This disease is somewhat similar to the two last 
named, with the exception, that the discharge from 
the nostrils is more profuse. It is attended with 
great prostration of strength, closed eyes and a dis- 
position at times to run in a circle. 

Bleeding must not be resorted to. If the ani- 
mal has not been purged, administer half an ounce 
of salts with one drachm of gentian, dissolved in 
gruel. If purged before, omit this and give the 
following: 

One ounce of prepared chalk, half drachm of cat- 
echu, twenty grains of opium. Dissolve in gruel; 
administer twice a day until the purging ceases. 

THE HOOVE OR BLOWN. 

Sheep are subject to similar attacks like cattle 
and from the same causes. When first put on 
fresh succulent pasture, such as clover, they should 
be driven slowly along . and not allowed to gorge 
their stomachs. The same remedy should be ap- 
plied — piercing through the paunch on the leftside 
between the hip-bone and the last rib, to cause the 
escape of the gas fermented. A small limber stick 
with a smooth knob on the end and thrust gently 
down the gullet into the paunch is preferable to 
the knife, and is safer. 

When first attacked, if the animal is put into a 
bare pasture and kept moving slowly, it may be re- 



JAUNDICE. 179 

lieved, by the contents of the stomach being evac- 
uated. It is desirable in all cases to ph^^sic, and 
we recommend the following to be administered 
every six hours until the bowels discharge freely. 
One ounce of glauber salts dissolved in four oun- 
ces ot peppermint water, one drachm each of tinc- 
ture of ginger and gentian ; mix in boiling water 
and give when cool. 

JAUNDICE. 

This complaint is frequently very destructive. It 
is owing to a superabundant discharge ot bile, or an 
obstruction of the bilar^' tubes, causing an overflow 
of bile into the circulation, penetrating the capilla- 
ry vessels. Cases of this kind are more prevalent 
in well fed animals, scarcely ever attatiking poor 
half kept stock. The symptoms are 3^ellowness of 
the skin and eyes, sometimes purging, but more 
frequently costive. On first discovery of this dis- 
ease it will rapidly yield to proper treatment. In 
the first place move to a bare pasture, then give the 
following, repeating the same in half doses, each 
morning for three or four days. 

Two ounces of Epsom salts, quarter of an ounce 
of ground caraway seeds ; dissolve the salts in a 
little warm water and mix with thin gruel. 

EOT. 

This is most prevalent among sheep, pastured 
on marshy land. On uplands or sandy soils it is 
unknown. The earliest S3^mptoms of this disease, 
is one from which no certain conclusion can be 
drawn, except that the animal is ill, labors under 



180 SHEEP. 

fever, and does not feed well. Shortly a palish yel- 
low pervades the skin, most evident in the 
w^hite of the eyes. As the disease progresses, the 
bowels become relaxed, discharging a fetid matter 
of unnatural color, which will not yield to all astrin- 
gents; the wool becomes loose, a swelling some- 
times gathers under the chin, which, if punctured, 
exudes a watery fluid, the belly distends, and in this 
condition the animal may live several n^onths, but 
death without relief is certain. A succession of dry 
weather has frequently been known to retard the 
progress of the rot, or even a change to dry pasture. 
The disease appears to be an aflection of the liver, 
and for which many remedies have been recom- 
mended, and but few, if an}', have stood the test of 
extCDsive experience. An extensive and intelli- 
gent sheep farmer, after all other remedies failed, 
tried the virtues of common salt, with good results. 
First of all the bowels should be thoroughly cleans- 
ed with Epsom salts ; then compound the following, 
put the whole in a quart bottle and fill up; shake 
well and give a tablespoon full night and morning: 

Eight ounces of common salt, two ounces of pow- 
dered gentian, one ounce of ginger, four ounces of 
tincture of calomel. Mix and bottle as directed. 

Another authority recommends adding to the a- 
bove three ounces of spirits of turpentine, and 
shake well each time before giving. 

Administer two table-spoonsful night and morn- 
ing; the latter before eating if possible. 

SCAB OR MANGE. 

The symptoms of this disease are first discover- 
ed by the eagerness of the animal to rub and scratch 



SCAB OR MANGE. 181 

against every post or tree, and biting at his fleece. 
The wool becomes loose, raises up, and the surface 
of the skin along the back is covered with a hard 
dr}^ scurf. The disease is contagious and the ani- 
mal infected should be removed from others. 

Various remedies are recommended for this dis- 
ease, but the cheapest, safest, and as effective as 
any, is the following: 

To a strong solution of tobacco water, say one 
quart, add two ounces each of corrosive sublimate 
and copperas, making the quantity more or less in 
proportion to the number to be treated. 

Take the sheep with head between your legs, 
and lay the wool open along the ba^-^k from tail to 
shoulder. It the scab forms a hard thick crust, 
scarify with a penknife, or rub so as to raise it, and 
pour on the liquid from the bottle with a large quill 
inserted in the cork. Enough of the mixture 
should be applied to saturate the scab ; then rub 
in. One dressing generall}^ effects a cure. If 
sheep are noticed to scratch after this, repeat the 
application. 

LICE AND TICKS. 

These vermine in sheep are too well' known to 
stock raisers to require any lengthy description. — 
The louse is of a brownish color, flat body, with 
three legs on either side; the tick hasa round body, 
and small head, which he buries into the skin, 
which he holds with such tenacity as to be with 
difficulty removed. They are both injurious to the 
wool and anoying to the animal, keeping it in a 
constant state of torment from incessant itching 
and scratching. After shearing is the best time 



182 SHEEP. 

to get rid of these pests. Some immerse the en- 
tire bod}^ in a wash, composed of thirty gallons of 
soft water, four pounds of soft soap and two pounds 
of arsenic. When the animal is taken out, the wool 
should be pressed, so as to take the wash as thor- 
oughly as possible out of the fleece. Sheep thus 
treated should be kept from cold and wet lor a few 
days. 

We do not approve of this remedy, because of 
its troublesome application, andpreterthe follow- 
ing as more effectual and more easil}- applied: 

One pound of flour of sulphur, four ounces of 
Venice turpentine, two pounds of rancid lard and 
four ounces of strong mercurial ointment. Rub 
well together. It may be made more fluid hy ad- 
ding an equal weight of neat's-foot oil. A strong 
decoction of Tobacco juice may be used with good 
effect for both tick and lice. 

DIARRHEA. 

Sheep can scarcely be turned into fresh pasture 
in Spring or Summer without being subject to this 
complaint; but this in most cases is beneficial than 
otherwise. If not too severe it rouses the digestive 
organs and causes them to thrive more rapidly af- 
terwards. Purging from young grass is generally 
of short duration, but if it should continue, they 
should be taken off and put on dry feed, and the 
following astringent given: 

A quarter ounce prepared chalk, half a drachm 
of ground ginger, half a drachm of powdered cate- 
chu, two grains of powdered opium. Mix in a lit- 
tle gruel and give once daily until the purging ceas- 
es. Suet boiled in sweet milk is given in severe 



INDIGESTION AND DEBILITY. 183 

cases with good effect. As the diarrhoea is liable to 
return, the sheep had better be kept on old grass, 
or if that cannot be had, give daily a little corn and 
hay. When the diarrhea is accompanied by chron- 
ic cough, the complaint ma}^ be temporarity reliev- 
ed, but never cured. 

INDIGESTION AND DEBILITY. 

The digestive organs of sheep are very apt to 
lose their powers, when kept on scant feed, as well 
as exhaustion from other causes. They appear not 
to relish food and fast loose flesh. If not neglected 
too long, the proper remedy is to arouse the organs 
to tone and action, by administering the following : 
One ounce of Epsom salts, quarter ounce of ground 
caraway seeds; dissolve the salts in hot water and 
mix with thin warm gruel. Repeat as olten as may 
be necessary. 

BLINDNESS. 

Inflammation of the eye, tte forerunner of blind- 
ness may arise from various causes. At first a wa- 
tery fluid and subsequenth^ a mucus matter is dis- 
charged and finally a white film covers the entire 
eye, accompanied with fever. When first attacked 
bleed from the corner of eye, by puncturing a- 
bout an inch or less from the eye and let run freely. 

Then give, two ounces of epsom salts, quarter oz. 
of ground caraway seed; dissolve the salts in warm 
water ; mix with thin gruel. Repeat if necessary 
in three or four daj^s. A tea-spoonful of laudan um 
mixed in half a pint of soft water, will be found an 
excellent wash for the eyes in such cases. 




HOGS. 



A few hints on the feeding and growth of hogs 
may not be considered outot phice as an introduc- 
tion to this subject, their disease, treatment and 
cure. First as to feeding, we believe, may be known 
from experience, tha^vith a little more care in 
their management and feeding, that they would be 
a greater source of profit to the farmer, by matur- 
ing in their growth much earlier than they do and 
at less cost. In the first place, they should be kept 
warm and dry in winter, and instead of throwing 
out an ear or two of corn in mud and filth, prepare 
their food and you will be rewarded for your troub- 
le. Now we shall present to the reader the differ- 
ence between feeding raw corn and that prepared. 
The most experienced hog raisers estimate, and in 
which we fully concur, that a bushel of raw corn, 
fed to a healthy hog, and under favorable circum- 
184 



FEEDING. 185 

stances as to shelter &c., will yield about nine 
pounds of pork, while corn ground into meal in- 
creases in value about 32 per cent, over that of 
corn fed in the ear, and by thoroughly steaming 
and cooking the whole corn raises its value to but 
little less than that of cooked meal, which is not less 
than 66 per cent, over raw corn led in the ear. It 
is not the grinding, steaming or cooking the corn 
will add to the element already existing, but ren- 
dering the whole more nutricious and easier diges- 
ted so that the maximum of nutrition is more cer- 
tainly obtained. The proportions of difierence in 
each mode of feeding, taking as a basis of our cal- 
culation that a bushel of raw corn fed in the ear 
will produce nine pounds of pork, that the same 
quantit}^ of corn coverted into meal and fed in the 
raw state will produce twelve pounds of pork, thir- 
teen and a half pounds from boiled corn, and six- 
teen and half pounds from cooked meal. This is 
not more than a moderate average to be realized 
from a bushel of corn under ordinary circumstan- 
ces of weather with dr^^ and clean feeding pens. 

With these few remarks as to feeding, we shall 
proceed briefly to the consideration of the dfferent 
diseases to which the hog is incident. 

KIDNEY WORM. 

The symptoms of kidney worm are too well 
known to require any explanation. It is quite fa- 
tal if not attended to in time. In the first stages of 
the disease small portions of arsenic occasionally, 
mixed with meal and fed will effect a cure. Corn 
well boiled in strong Ije has been given with good 
results. Hogs should be as regularly salted as cat- 



186 THE HOG. 

tie, and if a little wood ashes, and sulphur were 
mixed with their salt, they would neither be troub- 
led with kidney worm or any other disease, 

COSTIYENESS. 

Hogs confined closely to pens and fed on dry 
corn are very subject to costiveness. Three oun- 
ces of epsom salts dissolved and fed in a little slop 
and water and repeat daj^ after day if necessary, 
will give relief. When convenient a meal mash 
well salted may be given. 

MANGE. 

This complaint, the result of half feeding and dir- 
ty sheds is very prevalent among hogs. No animal 
can thrive with it. The wash for mangy sheep 
given on another page will be found an excellent 
remedy. If not very bad nor of long standing, 
wash thoroughly with strong soft soap and warm 
water, rubbing in well. 

LICE. — Hogs are ver}^ subject to lice and fre- 
quently at the same time as mange. The same 
treatment is recommended. 

SORE EAES. 

Some hogs are very subject to sore ears, particu- 
larly the large lop-ear breed. They suffer much, 
particularly in warm weather from flies and cannot 
thrive while thus affected, and the sooner they are 
cured the better. Apply the following as an oint- 
ment: 

Two pounds of lard, half a pound of rosin. Mix 



QUINSY. 187 

and melt, and when cooling stir in half a pound of 
finely powdered calamine. 

QUINSY. 

Hogs are frequently attacked with quinsy; an 
enlargement of the glands of the throat, inflamma- 
tion and enlargement of the cellular substances be- 
tween the skin and muscles under the lower jaw. 
Animals often suflTocatefromit. Purging and bleed- 
are essential and should be immediately attended 
to. Two ounces of salts administered every half 
hour until the bowels operate freely, and a little 
warm slop, milk &c., mixed with meal would be 
benelicial. 

MEASLES. 

This disease, although often unnoticed until af- 
ter death, to the great loss by the feeder, may be 
easily discovered by the red and pimpled appear- 
ance of the skin. Hogs are not known to die from 
it. It is the result of large feeding of hot stimula- 
ting food, such as distillers and brewers feed, fre- 
quently from the animal being suddenly taken from 
poor food and given quantities of dry corn. As 
good a remedy as any is to feed with cold slops of 
meal and water, sparingly for a while and in the 
mean time dissolve and mix in occasionally a little 
sulphur and salts. 

CHOLERA. 

This is comparativel}^ a new disease, but quite 
prevalent and disastrous in this country and Europe 
for some j^ears past, though many affections, cans- 



188 THE HOG. 

es, symptoms, and results are probably classed un- 
der this general term. The estimate of annual loss- 
es in swine in the United states, all attributed to this 
disease, is not less than from ten to fifteen millions 
of dollars, an amount greater probabl}^, than the 
damage by all other diseases to any other kind of 
animals and yet it seems to be but little understood 
by Veterinary Surgeons. We claim however, hav- 
ingmade some progress in this direction. In our 
"Formula of treatment of diseases of the horse" etc. 
published in 1867, w^e recommended the use of a 
painting material, known as "V^enetian red," mix- 
ed with either sour or sweet milk in quantity as may 
be requisite. Thoroughly stirring well together, 
and place troughs, where the hogs may drink freely 
for two or three da3's. The proportions are one 
pound to five gallons of milk. 

In all cases where tried it has proved successful. 

BREEDING. 

Before noticing the various breeds of hogs and 
their crosses now extant in this country, in which 
there is a great diversity of characters, in a greater 
or less degree of importance to the stock raiser, we 
shall proceed to give in brief some of the essential 
points. Like other animals, th.ey should be selec- 
ted with special reference to the nature of the cli- 
mate, kind and condition of the farm. The main 
points to be observed in judging of the breeds of 
the hog, are the form or shape of the ear, head, 
length and shape of bod}^, girth, and length of legs, 
and the fineness of hair. The large lop ear and 
coarse haired animal, generally indicates big bone, 
thick skin, and heavy eaters; while in the straight 



THE BEKKSaiKE. 189 

erect ear, the size is smaller, quicker arriving at 
maturity with a less amount of food. The best 
formed, are those which are not over lengthy, full 
in the head and cheek, short neck, small in bone, 
thick, round and compact in body, full in the quar- 
ters, thiix in skin ; and of good size according to the 
breed ; disposed to fatten at an early age are essen- 
tial points. 

We will now name the different breeds known, 
with some of their characteristics and leave the 
breeder to make his own choice. 

THE BERKSHIEE. 

This breed was imported from England into this 
country, in the year 1822, and is still a great favor- 
ite among stock men. It is generally in color, a 
yellowish white with black spots, short head, medi- 
um sized erect ears, thick close body, short legs, 
small bone, with hair having a rough appearance 
and inclined to be curly. It fattens quickly, its 
meat of fine quality, and weighs well. 

THE SUFFOLK. 

This is also a favorite breed; a cross between the 
Chinese and original Suffolk. It is smaller than 
the Berkshire, with more proportioned body, and 
full round quartes. In color it is white or flesh col- 
or. They attain when fat at the age of one year 
from 250 to 300 pounds. A cross between this hog 
and the Berkshire results in larger stock. 



190 THE HOG. 

THE CHINESE. 

This, although the first improved breed imported 
into this country, now over forty years ago, has been 
bred onl y to a limited extent, owing to its size, sel- 
dom attaining over 250 pounds in weight. It is 
small in limb, round in body, short head, broad 
cheek, with very thin skin and line hair. Being 
very tender, it is better adapted to the Southern than 
the Northern States. The Chinese crossed by oth- 
er breeds make an excellent hog. They are easily 
fed, mature early and their flesh is of fine and del 
icate flavor. 

THE ESSEX. 

This breed is generally black and white-mixed, 
mostly black. They are smaller in the head than 
the Berkshire, long, thin upright ears, short hair, 
fine skin, good hind parts, and deep round body. 
Th^y have the reputation of being bad nurses, al- 
though good breeders. 

THE CHESTER. 

The origin of this favorite breed of hogs, was th® 
importation of a male and female from China, a- 
bout forty years ago, into Chester county, Penn.) 
where b}- judicious crossing, they obtained a high 
reputation. They are generally known among hog 
fanciers in most parts of the country. They have 
a long body, square built, with small bone, and well 
formed, and will produce a greater 
amount of meat for the food consumed than any 
other hog known. They fatten younger than any 
hog we know of, and at the a^e of sixteen months 



CROSSING. 191 

with good care, will average from 500 to 600 lbs., 
and at two years will run up to 700 or 800 pounds." 

CROSSING. 

It is by judicious crossing of breeds that some 
of our best varieties of hogs have been obtained. 
A cross between a superior and an inferior breed 
results in the offspring to the latter, and, in many 
respects often better than the former. In breeding 
from stock with qualifications of different descrip- 
tions and in different degrees, the breeder will de- 
cide what are indispensible or what desirable 
qualities, and will cross with animals with a view to 
establish them. He will, if necessary, submit to 
the introduction of a trifling defect in order that 
he may profit by a great excellence, and between 
excellencies, perhaps somewhat incompatible, he 
will decide which is the greatest, and give it the 
preference. These remarks will apply to all kinds 
of stock as well as hogs. A bushel of corn will 
make twice as much pork when fed to a Berkshire, 
a Sufiolk or sl Chester, as to a slab-sided, long-leg- 
ged, long-nosed, self- sharpener breed, well known 
in the Western countr}^ some years ago. 

FEEDING. 

Hogs should have their meals at regular periods, 
never at any onetime giving large supplies, that 
they may gorge themselves. At all times they 
should have only as much as they will eat up clean, 
thus keeping their appetites sharp for each feed as 
the time comes around. Hogs fatten most rapidly 
in such a state of the atmosphere as is most con- 



192 THE HOG. 

genial to their comfort — neither too hot or too 
cold; September, October and November are 
the best months for making pork. The more agree- 
able the weather the less amount of food is requir- 
ed to supply the waste of life. In the first month 
named, old corn may be scarce, but the new crop 
then nearly fit or just cut should be given. Farm- 
ers who have practiced this mode of feeding say it 
is more nutricious, and the hogs thrive better on it 
than on old corn. Alter feeding the first month, 
they should have all that they can eat, but none to 
waste; regularity in feeding, a little salt occasion- 
ally, a comfortable place to lie and plenty of clean 
water, is the great secret of success. Where fed in 
open pens, in mud and mire, one-third, if not one 
half the corn fed on the ground is lost and the hogs 
are slow in fatting 

SPAYING OR ALTERING. 

Male hogs may be altered at any time from three 
weeks after birth to two months. At the former 
period there is no danger of accidents; they grow 
up and make nice smooth hogs; while, if left to get 
old, they will have a staggish appearance and nev- 
er make good pork. 

In performing the operation of altering a male 
hog; with a sharp knife, slit the scrotum sufficient- 
ly large, according to the size of the animal, take 
out the testicle, and draw on it gently, scrape the 
cord up close to the top and there cut it off. But 
in old hogs care must be taken in this respect to 
prevent rupture. With a large needle and strong 
thread — double if necessar}^ sew up, bringing the 
parts together, being sure to take good hold with 



SPAYIKG OR ALTERING. 193 

the needle and thread on the scrotum, but not 
drawing too tight, tliat an}^ matter created may es- 
cape. Grease with lard; if the weather is warm, 
smear with a little thin tar. 

Sows should be spayed also at an early age, but 
not let run on to a more advanced period; even 
after pigging, they should be then spayed, and may 
be without any risk, but more care is necessary. 
To perform this operation it is better that the}^ be 
thin in flesh — a little gaunt. Unlike the altering 
of male pigs, spaying sows requires some anato- 
mical as well as surgical knowledge, besides prac- 
tice and confidence in your ability. Prepare your- 
self with a good knife, rather rounding at the point, 
a spaying needle and a supply of good sound shoe 
thread, the latter double. Lay «the animal on a 
wide steady board, right side down, having an as- 
sistant to keep her in that positon. Feel for the 
hip bone and from one inch below shave off the 
hair and make an incision in of direct line down- 
ward, one inch in length, through the outside skin, 
then cut the inner skin straight with the grain 
making the orifice sufficiently large to introduce the 
forefinger of your left hand, reaching up toward 
the back bone, remove the pride and cut off closely 
to the pig-bed. Then follow the pig-bed to oppo- 
site side, where the other pride is located, and cut 
it off in like manner. This performed, replace the 
pig-bed, grease with clean lard and sew up the 
wound, strong, but not too close, in order to leave 
room for the escape of any matter that may accu- 
mulate. Old sows without spaying, should never 
be fatted; they require more food ; their meat is in- 
ferior and seldom sell for over half the price of 
clean hogs. 



194 

THE 

7ETEIII1TAEY PHARMACOPOEIA. 

EESCIPES, 



The VETERiiTARY PnARMACoPCEiA.-The following formu- 
la of recipes to be used in Veterinary practice have been com- 
piled from the writings of the most eminent Veterinarians of 
the present day ; as Youatt, Clark, White, Blaine, Lawrence, 
Peel and others ; together with all the more valuable recipea 
which we have found by long experience to be the most effect- 
ual in the several cases assigned them in the Pathology given, 
And from our own experience can confidently recommend the 
selection to the notice of Agriculturists and the owners of stock 
in general. It would be prudent for all Avho make horses, 
and the raising of stock a speciality, to keep on hand the more 
important ingredients necessary for the compound of the recipes 
herein given. A few venders of horse drugs, keep on hand a 
supply of Veterinary medicines; and where the mixtures can 
be depended on, and the ingredients are genuine and good, 
such an arrangement is a very effcient auxiliary to every sta- 
ble. The recipes necessary in the treatment of the diseases of 
the cow, SHEEP and swine are included in the arrangement. 
Where any speciality occurs, or where distinct recipes are 
requisite, they have been carefully noticed in the Pathology and 
description of the disease and the proper recipes therefor giv- 
en. It will therefore only be necessary to be kept in mind in 
the preparation of the following recipes, that with the exception 
of acid substances, as mineral acids, &c, which no cattle can 
bear with equal proportions with tho horse, the remedies given 
require about the following proportions: A large ox will bear 
the proportions of a moderate sized horse; a moderate sized 
cow something less; a calf about a third of the quantity; a sheep 
about a quarter, or at most a third of the proportion directed 
to the cow. Swine requires about the same proportion as 
sheep. 

Astringent Mixtures for Diarrhea, Lax, or Scour- 
ing. 1. Powdered ipecacuanha, one drachm; do. opium half 
a drachm, prepared chalk, 2 ounces ; boiled starch, 1 pint. 



VETERINARY PHARMACOPOEIA. 195 

2. Suet, 4 ounces, boiled in milk; 8 ounces boiled starch; 6 
ounces powered alum 1 drachm. 

The following has been very strongly recommended in some 
cases, for the lax of horses and cattle. 

3. Glauber's salts, 2 ounces; Epsom do. 1 ounce; Green vit- 
riol 4 grains; Gruel, half a pint. When the lax or scouring at 
all approaches to dysentery or molten grease, the following 
drmk should be first given. 

4. Castor oil, 4 ounces; Glauber's salts, dissolved, tw^o oun- 
ces; powdered rhubarb, half a drachm; powdered opium, 4 
grains^ gruel, 1 pint. 

Astringent Balls eor Diabetes or Excessive Urination. 
Catechu, (Japan earth) half an ounce; alum powdered, half 
a drachm; sugar of lead, 10 gr. conserve of roses to make a 
ball. 

Alteratives — 1 Levigated antimony, 2 drachms; cream 
of tartar, nitre, of each half an ounce. 

2. Ethiop's mineral, levigated antimony, powdered resin, 
each three drachms. Give in a mash, or in oats or bran, a 
little wetted every nighty or make into a ball Avith honey. 

Tonic Alteratives — 1. Gentian, aloes, ginger, blue vitriol, 
of each one drachm; Oak bark in powder, 6 drachms. 

2. Winter's bark in powder, three drachms; green vitriol 
do, one and a half drachnis; gentian^ do, three drachms; make, 
either of these into a bail with honey and give every morning. 

3. White vitriol. 1 drachm; ginger or pimento, ground, 2 
drachms; powdered quassia, half an ounce; ale 8 ounces. Mix 
and give as a drink. 

4. Arsenic, 10 grains, oatmeal, 1 ounce. Mix and give in 
a mash or moistened oats nightly. 

Astringent paste for thrush, foot rot, foul in the 
FOOT &c. — 1. Prepared calomine, verdigris, of each half an 
ounce, white vitriol, alum, of each half a drachm; tar, 3 
ounces; mix. 

Astringent washes for cracks in the heels, wounds 
&c. 1. Sugar of lead, 2 drachms; white vitroil, 1 drachm; 
strong infusion of oak, or elm bark, 1 pint; mix. 

2 Green vitriol, 1 drachm: infusion of galls, half a pint 
mix and wash the parts three times a day. 

Powder for cracks, &c. 1 Prepared calamine, 1 ounce; 
Fuller's earth, powdered pipe clay, of each 2 oun 
and put within gauze, and saturate the moist surfac 



196. VETERINARY PHARMACOPCEIA. 

Bores frequently. 

Astringent PASTE for grease. 1 Prepared calamine, 
Tutty powdered charcoal, of each 2 ounces; yeast enough 
to make a paste. To the above, if more strength be required, 
add of alum and verdigris each a drachm ; corrosive sub- 
limate, 2 drachms; spirits of wine or brandy, 1 ounce; soft 
water, 10 ounces. 

Kub the sublimate in a mortar with the spirit till dissolved, 
then add the water. This is a strong preparation, and has 
proved successful in very bad cases of grease which have re 
sisted all the usual remedies. 

Clysters 1 A laxative one. Thin gruel or broth, 5 
quarts; Epsom or common salts 6 ounces. 

Clyster for gripes 2 ^lash two moderate size onions, 
pour over them oil of turpentine 2 ounces; capsicum or pepper 
half an ounce; thin gruel, 4 quarts. 

Nutritious clyster — 3 Thick gruel three quarts; strong 
sound ale, one quart. 

4 — Or strong broth, 2 quarts; thickened milk, 2 quarts. 
Astringent clyster — 5 Tripe liquor or suet boiled in 
milk, three pints; thick starch 2 pints; laudanum, half an 
ounce. 

6 — Or alum w^hey, one quart; boiled starch, two quarts. 

Blisters — 1 A general one. Cantharides powdered, 2 

ounces; Venice turpentine, resin palm oil or lard, Is 

pounds; melt the three latter articles together, and when not 

too hot stir in the Spanish flies. 

2 A strong cheap blister, but not proper to be used in 
fevers or inflammatioiiS, as of the lungs, bowels, &c. Euphor- 
bium powdered, 1 ounce; oil of vitroil, 2 scruples, Spanish 
flies, 6 ounces, palm oil or lard, resin of each 1 pound; oil 
of turpentine 3 ounces. 

Melt the resin with the lard or palm oil, having previoui- 
ly mixed the oil of vitriol with an ounce of water gradual- 
ly, as gradually add this mixture to the melted mass, which 
again set on a slow fire for ten minutes more; afterwards 
remove the whole, and when beginning to cool, add the pow- 
ders previously mixed together. 

Strong liquid blister — 3 Spanish flies in glass pow- 
der, 1 ounce; oil of origanum, 2 drachms; oil of turpentine, 
4 ounces; olive oil, 2 ounces. 
Steep the flies in the turpentine three v^eeks, strain off and 



VETERINARY PHARMACOPCEIA; 197 

add the oil. 

Cordial Balls, — Gention, powdered, 4 ounces; ginger do. 2 
ounces; coriander seeds, do. 4 ounces; caraway do. 4 ounces; 
oil of aniseed, quarter of an ounce. Make into a mass with 
honey, treacle or lard, and give an ounce and a half for a dose 

Diuretic Balls. — feesin, yellow, 1 pound; nitre, half a 
pound; white turpentine, half a pound; yellow-soap, quarter 
pound. Melt the resin, soap and turpentine over a slow fire, 
when cooling add the nitre. For a strong dose, an ounce and 
half, for a mild one an ounce. It should be kept in mind, that 
mild diuretics are always equal to what is required; and heavy 
strong diuretics are always hurtful. 

Diuretic Powders. — Yellow resin, powdered, 4 ozs; nitre 
ditto, 8 ounces; cream of tarter, do. 4 ounces. Dose — 8 or 10 
drachms, nightly, which some horses will readily eat in a 
mash. 

UuRiNE Drink. — Glauber's salts, two ounces; nitre, 6 
drachms, dissolve in a pint of warm water. 

Chronic cough balls. — 1 Calomel 1 scruple; gum ammon- 
ica, horse radish, of each 2 drachms; balsam ofTolu, 
squills, each one drachm. Beat all together, and make into 
a ball with honey, and give every morning fasting. 

Drink for the same. — 2 Tar water, lime water, of each 
half a pint; tincture of squills, half an ounce. 

Powder for the same. — 3 Tartar emetic, 2 drachms; 
powdered foxglove, half a drachm; powdered squills, half a 
drachm; calomel, one scruple; nitre, 3 drachms; give every 
night in a malt mash. 

Embrocation — Cooling for inflammations. — 1 Goulards 
extract, half an ounce; spirit of wine or brandy 1 ounce; soft 
water 1 quart. 

For the eyes. — 1 Sugar of lead, 1 drachm; white vit- 
riol, 2 scruples; water 1 pint. 

2 Brandy, 1 ounce; infusion of green tea, 4 ounce.«; tincture 
of opium, 2 drachms; infusion of red roses, 4 ounces; excel- 
lent for man or horse. 

3 Eose water, 6 ounces; mindererns spirit, 3 ounces. 

4 Sulphate of zinc, 4 grains; alcohol, 1 ounce; lime water, 1 
pint. 

5 Alum, powdered, 1 drachm, calomel half a drachm. 
Mix and insert a little at one corner of the eye. The cus- 
tom of biowiug it in alarms the horse. 



198 VETERINARY PHARMACOPCEIA. 

Sore and scummed eyes. 6. Take fresh butter or rab- 
its fat, honey and white of three eggs; well stirred up with 
salt, 1 spoonful in one powder; mix it well and apply to the 
eye with a feather. Also rub above the eye, (in the hollow,) 
with the salv?. Wash freely with cold spring water. 

Weak eyes. 7, There is no such disease as hooks — it is 
only caused by inflammation, which causes the washer oi the 
eye to become swollen, and protrude out, and some say that 
this is hooks — they never should be cut. By roweling at the 
side of the eye it will draw the inflammation from the eyeto the 
surface, and cure the disease. Sometimes the eye becomes 
weak from wolf teeth; these shonld^be extracted withafor- 
cep. 

For a buised eye. 8. Take rabbits fat and use as 
above directed. — Bathe freely with fresh spring water. We 
have cured many bloodshot eyes with this simple remedy. 

Fever Powder — 1 Tartar emetic, 2 drachms; nitre, 5 
drachms. 

2 Antimoniai powder, 2 drachms; cream of tartar, nitre, of 
each four drachms. 
Fever Drink 3 Sweet spirits of nitre, 1 ounce; mindererns 
spirit 6 ounces; water 4 ounces. 

4 Sweet spirits of nitre, 1 ounce; simple oxymel, 6 ounces; 
tartar emetic, 3 drachms. 

Malignant Epidemic fever. — 5 Simple oxymel, Min- 
dererens spirit, beer yeast, of each 4 ounces, sweet spirits of 
nitre, 1 ounce. 

Fumigations for purifying infected stables, sheds 
&c. — 1 Manganese, 2 ounces; common salt, do oil of vitriol, 
3 ounces; water 1 ounce. 

Put the mixed Manganese, and salt into a basin; then hav- 
ing before mixed the vitriol and water very gradually, pour 
then by means of tongs, or anything that will enable you to 
stand at a suflicient distance, on the articles in the basin grad- 
ually. As soon as the fumes rise, retire and shut up thedoor 
close. 

Scalding mixture for poll evil — 1 Corrosive subli- 
mate finely powdered, 1 drachm; yellow basillicon 4 ounces. 

Foot stoppings — 1 Horse and cow dung, each about 2 lbs. 
tar half a pound. 

Hoof liquid — 1 Oil of turpentine, 4 ounces; tar, 6 ounces; 
whale oil, 8 ounces. 



VETERINARY PHARMACOPCEIA 199 

This softens and toughens the hoofs extremely, when 
brushed over them night and morning. 

Purging medicines. — Balls — very mild. Aloes powder- 
ed, 6 drachms; oil of turpentine, 1 drachm. Mild, aloes 
powdered, 8 drachms, oil of turpentine 1 drachm. Strong, Aloes 
powdered, 10 drachms; oil ot turpentine, 1 drachm. The aloes 
may bebeaten with treacle to a mass, adding during the beating 
the oil of turpentine. v^ Allspice, cream of tartar, jalap &c. 
are useless and often hurtful additions. 

Liquid purge — Epsom salts, dissolved, 8 ounces; cas- 
tor oil, 4 ounces; watery tincture of aloes, 8 ounces; mix 

the watery tincture of aloes is made by beating powdered 

aloes with the yelk of an egg, adding water by degrees . By 
these means half an ounce of aloes may be suspended in 8 
ounces, of water, and such a purge is useful when a ball can- 
not be got down, as in partial locked jaw 

Wash For Mange. — Corrosive sublimate, 2 drachm 
spirit of wine or brandy, 1 oz.; decoction of tobacco, do. 
white helebore, of each 1 pint; dissolve the mercury in the 
spirits, and then add the decoctions. 

Wash For Coring Out, and Destroying Fungus, Or 
Proud Flesh, &c. — Lunar caustic one drachm; water 2 oz. 

For Mange. — Sulphur vivum, 8 oz; arsenic in powder, 2 
drachms; mercurial ointment, 2 oz.; turpentine, 2 oz., lard, 
8 oz. Mix, and dress with every morning. 

Ointments For Healing. — Turners cerdte, two ounces; 
white vitriol powdered, half a drachm; lard, 4 ozs. 

For Digesting. — Turners cerate, 2 ozs.; white vitriol, 1 
drachm, yellow basilicon, 5 ozs. 

For Scab or Shab in Sheep, Mallenders and Sellen; 
DERS IN Horses, Foul Blotches and Eruptions in Cat- 
tle, IN General. — Camphor, 1 dr.; sugar of lead, J dr. 
mercurial ointment 1. oz. 

Cleansing Powders. — This is good for all cases where the 
blood is out of order. It will be found good for any derange- 
ment of the liver or kidneys ; also for mange, surfeit, farcy, 
yellow wat^r, grease-heel, indigestion, worms and loss of ap- 
petite. It is to be used as a general cleansing or regulating 
medicine. Take four ounces of golden-seal ; 4 oz. powdered 
gentian ; 4 ounces pulverized blood root ; 4 ounces powdered 
sulphur ; 2 ounces pulverized resin ; 1 ounce of nitre ; J oz. 
crude antimony j J ounce calomel; 2. lb of ground flax seed, 



200 VETERNARY PHARMACOPCKIA. 

all pulverized, and well mixed; give one large spoonful in 
any kind of mash or chopped feed. Give to cattle in salt, bran 
slop: to sheep in salt and clay; to hogs in charcoal, ashes, or 
slop. This is the great preventative from all diseases; it keeps 
stock looking sleek and smooth and makes the farm pay. 

Condition Powdeu. — For colds, coughs, and to strength- 
en the horses wind when he is kept on dry food. Take the 
bark from sassafras roots and sarsaparilla .roots 3 oz. of each; 
dry and pulverize; add 1 lb. of brown sugar, 1 oz.. potash 1 
oz. white turpentine, pulverized; 4 lb. yellow clay; 4 lb oil 
cake. Dose, one spoonful in wet feed. 

To Cure Heaves. — Take one quart of blacksmith's forge 
water; add 1 oz. oil of vitriol; 1 oz. oil of amber; 1 oz. oil tar; 
shake freely and give from 20 to 30 drops daily in soft feed. 

To Prevent Contageous Diseases. — One oz, asafoetida; 4 
oz ginger; 4 oz. sulphur; 2 oz. resin; 1 oz. saltpetre; 1 oz. an- 
timony; 5 oz. hickory or corn cob ashes. Dose, one spoonful 
twice per week. 

For Kheumatism. — Take alcohol 1-2 pint; oil of organ- 
um; 1-2 oz.; cayenne, 1-2 oz.; gum myrrh, 1-2 oz.; 1 tea- 
spoonful lobelia: mix and let stand over night, then bathe the 
part affected. This is the best medicine we ever used for 
rheumatism. 

German Rheumatic Liniment. The following is sure 
cure for the Rheumatism. Neuralgia or stitch in the back, 
contracted by cold. 1 pt. of Alcohol; J of a large Beefs 
Gall; 1 oz. Spirits Amonia; 1 oz Spirits Camphor; 1 oz. Oil 
Hemlock; 1 oz. Sassafras; 1 oz. Capsicum. Combine and let 
stand for 24 hours in a warm place, when it is ready for use. 
Bathe the affected parts at intervals of 4 or 5 hours, and dry 
in well by the fire. 

The Indians Most Specific Cure For Inflammatory 
Rheumatism. — 1. qt. alcoho 1; 1 teacup jimson seed, ground; 
2 ounces sassafras oil; 2 oz. foxglove; 1 table spoonful cay- 
enne pepper. After bathing thoroughly with the above mix- 
ture apply mullen or cabbage leaves steeped in vinegar. 

Nerve and Bone LiNiMEXT.-One ounce spirits of turpen- 
tine; J oz. organum oil; 1 oz. oil of spike; 1 oz. British oil; 1 oz. 
tincture of myrrh; 2 oz. compound tincture of myrrh, or (tinc- 
ture capsicum,) 2 ozs. tincture of camphor. For any old chronic 
complaint add 1 oz. tincture cantharides. We have used this lin 
ament for over 20 years on man and beast, for sprains, bruises, 



VETERNARY PHARMACOPCEIA 201 

cuts, burns, and rheumatism. It will pay every one to keep it 
on hand. 

A German Linimet. — To reduce swelled legs, and 
strengthen the tendons after hard drives. 1 beef gall.; 1 oz. oil 
of spike, 1 oz. gum myrrh; 1 oz. organum; J oz camphor; add 
to Ipt alchohol bathe the swelled parts freely every 4 four or six 
hours ; bandage the legs if it is freezing weather or cold winds. 

1. Wash for Mange or Farcy. Vinegar 1 pt.; ^oz. camphor; 
blue ointment 2 oz.; spirits amonia 2 oz.; fish oil, 6 oz. 

2. Linseed oil 7 oz.; turpentine oil 5 oz. ; oil of tar 5 oz.; 
mix and wash the parts affected. 

A cheap liniment for fresh sprains on any part of the ani- 
mal. Take vinegar 1 qt.; carbonate amonia 4 ozs.; shake 
and bathe freely; an approved remedy. 
German Vegetable LiNiMENT-For tetter worm, scald head, 
salt rheum or any scrofula on the skin. Take 1 lb. burdock 
roots; J lb. yellow dock roots; ^ lb. tobacco; ^ lb. sarsaparilla, 
roots; 4 ozs. jimson seed; 4 oz. of white walnut bark. Boil 
all these roots and barks together in IJ gallons of water 20 
minutes; strain off and boil down to J gallon; then add 4 oz. 
of hemlock oil; bottle and cork tight. An approved German 
cure for the above diseases. 

Eecipe for German Ointment. — Take butter, 1 lb.; bees- 
wax, 1 oz.; white turpntine, 1 J oz.; olive oil,7 oz.; red lead, 
4 ozs.; camphor gum, IJ oz,; melt and stir slow, vial or box 
for use. The German ointment is good for gathered or cake 
breasts or lame back, or to annoint a cows bag which is affec- 
ted with swollen udder. 

Green Ointment. — Take 6 lb.; of lard, put into a ten gallon 
kettle; add 2. gallons of water; cut jimson weeds seeds and 
all, fill them in, and cook them slowly, from four to six hours; 
and cook all the water out; then put into a jar; add to each 
pound of ointment, 1 oz. of turpentine. This is cheap and 
good stable ointment — good for scratches, galls, cuts, shoul- 
der bruises, &c. 

Iodine Ointment. — Excellent for man or beast. For 
rheumatism, sprains, burns, swellings, bruises, or any infla- 
mmation on man or beast; chapped hands or lips, black eyes, 
or anv kind of bruises. Take fresh butter, 2 lbs: tincture of 
iodine, 1 oz ; oil of organum, 2 oz,; mix well for fifteen min- 
utes, when it is fit for use. Apply every night and rub in 
well with the hands. If for human flesh, lay on with warm 



202 VETERXARY PHARMACOPCEIA. 

flannel. 

Liniment for Swellings. — Linseed oil, J pt ; tincture 
iodine, 3 oz; turpentine, 4oz.; oil of organum, 1 oz., Shake 
well and apply every day. Eub it in well with your hands. 
Wash the part clean with soap and water before applying it. 
This is good on any swelling. 

Liniment for Stifle Sprain. — Take three oz. muriat- 
ic acid,; 4 oz, oil of spike; 3 gills, spirits of turpentine; to 
which add 1. pt. or cider vinegar; bathe the stifle every four 
hours until cured. 

A LiXIMENT TO USE INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY FOR 

Diseases of the Bladder and Kidneys. — Take 1 qt. fish oil; 
2 oz. pulverized camphor; 2 oz.oil sassafras; 2 gills turpentine; 
bottle, for use internally or externally; give on the tongue 25 
drops every hour. 

Cure for Erysipelis — Take blue flag root, grate fine one tea 
cup full, add half pint of milk and boil moderately for about 
half an hour; this should be made into poultices of convenient 
size: before the po ultices are applied, however, the hands 
should be thoroughly washed with soap and sand to bring 
about a speedy circulation of the blood; after this rinse the 
hands in cold salt water and sugar of lead, and lay them on 
the parts affected; then wash the hands In fresh water, and so 
continue until the painful feelings are abated. Then apply 
the poultices; which should be cold. If necessary any number 
of poultices may be applied in the same manner. The poison 
of the blue flag, sugar of lead kills the disease and the milk 
prevents any injury that may arise from them. 

How TO Detect, and Cure colic. — When the prescrip- 
tion laid down in the preceding instructions can not be ob- 
tained. Place the horse in such a position that his hind feet 
may be considerably higher than the fore ones. If he is troub- 
led with the colic, the position refered to will cause the pain 
to cease, and he will stand quietly. If by trial it is found he 
has the colic, then the following speedy treatment is necessa- 
ry. Take 1 qt. of strong salt water, warm it and drench the 
horse with it; thea then give him moderate exercise. 

Take one gill of turpentine, 1 gill of opium, dissolved in 
whisky, add 10 drops of Belladonna; one quart of water, milk 
warm. Drench the horse and move him about slowly. If 
there is no relief in fifteen minutes, take a piece of chalk, a- 

bout the size of an egg; powder it and put it into a pint of ci- 



VHTERNARY PHARMACOPCEIA. 203 

der vinegar, which should be blood warm, give that, and then 
iQOve him as before. 

Another. — Take 1 ounce laudanum; 1 ounce of ether; 1 
ounce of Tincture of Asafoetida; 2 ounces Tincture of Pep- 
permint; add 10 drops Aconite; put all in a quart bottle; 
shake it well and drench the horse. 

Recipe for Making the Champion Ivory Cement or 
English Glue. — Take 4 pts. of water; 1 lb. of white glue; 
place in a kettle; boil slow until thoroughly, raeltedtakeofFand 
have ready J lb. fine flour of white lead; stir in the above thor- 
oughly; then take 4. ozs.; of alchohol, in which dissolve J oz. 
camphor gum; pour in the above stirring thoroughly; the 
bottle for use. This cement is one of the best remedies i 
use, as a secreter to stop blood. Its medical properties a 
good to apply to any open wound; to make adhesive plaster 
to hold any wound together, it has no equal: to mend an 
furniture or glass ware that is kept in the dry, it is unequal 
ed. To use, set the vial in some warm water until the cemen 
is melted, then apply it as the case requires. 

A Liquid Harness and Shoe Polish. — Take i^ lb. gu^a 
shelac, 1 oz. of lamp-black, 2. oz. camphor gum; put in a bot- 
tle and add alchohol enough to cover well; let it stand in 
warm.place three days. Harness should be prepared for pol- 
ish, by taking apart, and washing well with soap and warm 
water, so as to remove all gum and grease; after which the 
polish should be applied when the harness are nearly dry. 
The application may be made with a brush or any thing con- 
venient. 

Kecipe for Stopping Blood when Bled in the Mouth. 
• — Take a small linen or flax-cord, raise the upper lip, pass 
the cord above the cut on the inner side, pass it to the front 
and tie as high up as possible tolerable tight. It never fails 
to stop the bleeding. 

To Increase the Sexual desire in Stallions When 
Needed.— 1. Feed a tea cup full of midlings or shorts once 
or twice a day for two weeks. 

2. Take J pound of Fennigreek, powdered; divide into 
twelve doses, give one every other day in the usual feed. 

3. Take Spanish fly J.lb. powder, divide into twelve doses, 
give one every other day, which will produce the dcaied ef- 
fect. 



CONTENTS. 



•:0: 



PAGE. 

Preface. 1 

TEE HOUSE. 

Pathology of. 7 

Eye, Inflammation of 10 

Eye Washes 11 

*' " lor man or beast 12 

Blind or Wolf Teeth 12 

Catarrh of the Lachrymal 13 

Moon Eyes '. 14 

Fistula 15 

Fistula, or Poll Evil, (Kecipes.) 15 

Glanders 17 

Catarrh or Cold 19 

Glanders, cure for 19 

Alterative 20 

Glanders etc., German cure 20 

Sta2:gers, Treatment 21 

Colic 21 

Colic, Flatulent 22 

Liver or yellow-water, Diseases of 23 

Fever, Lung 24 

Pleurisy 25 

Lungs, Inflammation of 26 

Condition, Want of 28 

Stone or Gravel 29 

Sheath, Foul 30 

Staggers, Blind 31 

Treatment of 31 

Distemper 31 

Gleet, Nose discharge 32 

Farcy, Butten 32 



CONTENTS. 205 

I^arcy Water 33 

Mange 33 

'' Treatment of 33 

Surfeit 33 

Margins, or Dumbness 34 

Bowels, Infiammation of 35 

Worms ; 36 

Botts 37 

Eoaring 39 

Wind, Broken 40 

Tetanus or Lock Jaw 40 

Bleeding 4^ 

Hemorrhage 44 

Sweeny 44 

" Treatment of 45 

" of the hip...*. 46 

Stifle Sprain 46 

Capped Hock, or Haunches 48 

Spavin, Eingbone etc.. Instructions 48 

Founder, first stages 50 

" Acute 50 

" In feet 52 

Hoof Bound 53 

Hoofs, Brittle or Spongy 53 

Hoof Jlvil, Thrush etc 53 

Scratches, Cure for -. 54 

Ointment 54 

Hoof medicine 54 

Hoof, Gravel in 55 

Corns — Cure for 56 

Lampas 57 

Big or Milk Leg .- 57 

Scouring 57 

Shoeing 58 

Hoof Sound, How to Judge 59 

Hoof, Its formation and structure 61 

Castrating etc. 67 

Bupture 71 

'' Treatment of. 72 

Collar Bruises 74 

Docking -. 75 



206 CONTENTS. 

Seaton, How to apply 76 

Fractured Bones 77 

Stable management 82 

Feeding 87 

Pasturage 91 

Breeding 94 

Management * 102 

To Throw a Horse 103 

Bitting Machine 104 

Learning to lead.. 105 

Pulling on Halter or Bridle 105 

Teaching to follow 106 

To Break from jumping 106 

" Kicking in Harness 107 

" Kunaway 108 

" Balking 109 

Smellins sense of 110 

Horsemen, Prevailing opinion of Ill 

Colt, Approaching the 112 

Treatment, Kemarks on 116 

Horse Talk 117 

" Points of, Physical structure, &c 118 

** Color of 125 

'* Terms denoting parts of 126 

CATTLE. 

Cattle Eaising 127 

The Cow r29 

Weeds 130 

Sore Teats 131 

Parturition, Relief 131 

After Birth, Retention of 133 

Fundament, casting of 133 

" German cure for 134 

** Indian Cure for 134 

Cancer cure, Indian Vegetable 135 

*' German 135 

Horn distemper 136 

Bloat 137 

Inflammation, or Red Colic 137 

" Liver etc 137 



CONTENTS. 207 

Trembles or Milk Sickness 138 

Milk Fever 139 

Blain 141 

Murrain 142 

Bladder, Inflammation of 144 

'' Stone in 145 

Eye, Diseases of 146 

Hove, or Hoven 147 

Choaking 149 

Locked Jaw 149 

Poison... 150 

Wounds 151 

Angle Berries 153 

Foul Foot 153 

Mange 154 

Warbles 154 

Altering or Spaying 154 

Estimate of Weight 156 

Calves— Hints on care 158 

Birth 158 

Bleeding from Navel 159 

Diarrhea 159 

Costivencss. 160 

Hoose or Cough 161 

Canker in the Mouth 162 

SHEEP. 

Their value etc 163 

Breeds 164 

Spanish Merino 165 

Saxon Merino 1 165 

Leicester, The new 165 

South Down 166 

Coltswold 166 

Cheviot.. 166 

Lincoln 167 

Management 197 

Feeding 197 

Salt and Water 168 

Shade 199 

Lambing 199 



208 CONTENTS. 

Weaning 169 

Castration and Docking 170 

Diseases and cures 171 

Diarrhea 171 

Costiveness 172 

Staggers 173 

Red water 175 

The Blood. 175 

Giddiness in the Head 176 

Inflammation of the Brain 176 

Catarrh 177 

Inflammation of the Lungs 177 

Influenza 178 

Hoove or Blown 178 

Jaundice 179 

Rot 179 

Scabs or Mange 180 

Lice or Ticks 181 

Diarrhea 182 

Indigestion and Debility 183 

Blindness 183 

Eoas. 

Hints on Feeding etc 184 

Kidney Worm 185 

Costiveness 186 

Mange 186 

Sore Ears 186 

Quinsy 187 

Measels 187 

Cholera ^ 187 

Breeding 188 

The Berkshire 189 

The Suffolk 189 

The Chinese 190 

The Essex 190 

The Chester 190 

Crossing 191 

Feeding 191 

Spaying and Altering 192 



CONTENTS. 209 

RECIPES. 

Veterinary Pharmncopoeia 194 

Diarrhea 195 

Alteratives 195 

Thrush, Foot Kot etc 195 

Heel cracks, Wounds etc 195 

Grease Paste 196 

Clysters 196 

Blisterers.... 196 

Balls, Cordial Cough and Duiretic 197 

Powders, Duiretic 197 

Urine Drink 197 

Embrocation 197 

Eye Washes 197 198 

Eyes — Scummed, Weak and Bruised 198 

Fever Powder and Drink 198 

Malignant Epidemic Fever 198 

Purifying Stables etc 198 

Poll Evil Mixture ! 198 

Foot Stopping — Hoof Liquid 199 

Purging Medicines 199 

Mange, Wash for 199 

Coring out — Destroying Fungus — Wash for 199 

Healing Ointments 199 

Scabetc 199 

Powders- Cleansing 199 

Powder, Condition 200 

Heaves, Cure for 200 

Contageous Disease— to prevent 200 

E-heumatism, Cure for 200 

Liniment, Nerve and Bone 200 

Liniment, German 201 

Ointment, German 201 

Ointment, Green, Iodine 201 

Liniments, Swellings, Sprains etc 202 

Ervsipels, Cure for 202 

Colic 202 203 

Cement, Champion 203 

Polish, Harness and Shoe 203 

Blood, Stopping 203 

Stallions, Sexual desire 203 



210 



Anatomy of the Horse. 




211- 



Explanation of Cut on Opposite Page. 



4,4 — The head. 

a — Posterior Maxillary, or under jaw. 
J — Superior Maxillary, or upper jaw. 
C — Orbit, or cavity containing the eye. 
d — Nasal bones, or bones ot the nose. 

e — Suture dividing the paristial below from the occipital 
bones above. 
f — Inferior Maxillary bone, containing the upper incisor teeth. 
^— The Conical Vertebrae, or bones of the neck. 
C — The Dorsal Vertebrae, or bones of the back. 
D — The Lumbar Vertebrae, or bones of the loins. 
_£' — The Sacral Vertebrae, or bones over the haunch, 
JT' — Caudal Vertebrae, or bones of the tail. 
G — Scapula, or shonlder blade. 
H — Sternum, or fore part of the chest. 
1 1 — Costae, or ribs. 
J — Humerus, or bone of the arm. 
K K — Radius, or bone of the fore arm. 
L — Ulna, or elbow. 
e/I:fJIl— Carpus, or knee, 
JV Jf — Metacarpal bones. 
— Haimch. 

JP P — Femur, or thighs. 
Q— Stifle joint with the Patella. 
J^ R — Thibia, or thigh bones. 
SS — Tarsal bones. 
T T — Large Metatarsal bones. 
fl h — Os Coronal. 
£ £ — Os Sufiragjiiis. 



212 



THE STOMACH. 




213 



( See Page 22. ) 

- Explanation of Cut on opposite Page. 

d — The Asophagus or Gullet, extending to the Stomach. 

J — Entrance of the Gullet into the Stomach. The circular 
layers of the muscles, are very thick and strong, and which by 
their contractions, render it difficult for the food to be vomited. 

C — Portion of the Stomach coveied by Cuticle or insensible 
skin. 

dj 6?/— Margin separating the Cuticular from the Villous 
portion. 

e, e, — Mucous or Villous portion, in which the food is princi- 
pally digested, 

f — Communication between Stomacli and first Intestine. 

£ — The common orifice through which the Bile and Secre- 
tions from the Pancreas pass into the first Intestine. The two 
pins mark the two Tubes here inserted. , 

']% — A smaller orifice through which a portion of the Secre- 
tions of the Pancreas enters the Intestines. 



214 



INTESTINES, 




215 



( See Page 35. ) 

Explanation of Cut on opposite Page. 

Qj — Commencement of Small Intestines, The Biliary, and 
Pancreatic ducts a little below. 

1) 1) — The Convolutions or windings of the Small Intestines. 

C — Portion of the Mesentary, a fold of Serous membrane, 
which hanges over the greater part of the Intestines. 

^ — Small Intestines, terminating in the Caecum 

£, — The Caecnm, or blind Gut, with the bands running along 
it, puckering and dividing it into numerous cells. 

f — Beginning of the Colon. 

^ — Continuation and expansion of the Colon, also divided 
into cells. 

Jl — Termination of the Colon in the Eectum. 

i — Termination of the Rectum at the anus. 



216 



REMARKS, 



The three following cuts, representing the Head, and out- 
side view of the Hip, from thence to the Tarsal bones of the 
hind leg, showing the various muscles and arteries ; also an in- 
side view of the same, will be found of great interest to the stu- 
dent in Veterinary Surgery; and in order that they may exercise 
their skill, we omit giving reference to the different points, 
merely refering them to the skeleton given on a preceding page. 

The Head. 




Outside View of the Hip. 



217 




218 



Inside Vie^^^, Anatomy of the Hip. 











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